Adolescent pregnancy: Risk factors and maternal-perinatal outcome

Adolescent pregnancies have increased over the past years, being considered a significant social and reproductive issue. Risk factors include: low family income, poor education, lack of knowledge of reproductive health and poor psychological family support. In Ecuador low knowledge of reproductive health, early sexual initiation and disruption of the family structure have been found to be the main determinants for pregnancies among low income adolescents 15 years or less. Dropping out of school, having problems with justice and being related to domestic violence have been directly associated to adolescent pregnancies. Adverse outcomes in the mother (high c-section rates, intrapartum complications) and fetus (preterm birth, small for gestational age) have been described among adolescents. Ecuadorian adolescents have been found to be at higher risk for adverse neonatal outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth) and maternal cervico-vaginal and malarial infections. Although displaying an increased awareness to HIV/AIDS related issues protective behavior has been determined to be low in this high risk population. The objective of the following document is to describe risk factors for adolescent pregnancies as well as maternal-perinatal outcome.