Maternal and perinatal complications of pregnancy in adolescents first pregnancy: case control study

Objective: To identfiy main maternal and perinatal complications in adolescents carryying their first pregency, compared with a control group, Design: Observational analytical case-control study Setiing: Gynecology and Obstertrics Service, Sergio E, Bernales Ntional Hospital, a teaching hospital. Participants: Adolescents carrying their first pregnancy. Interventions: Two groups of 162 participants each according to age: 10 to19 year-old was the case group, and 20 to 29 year-old, the control group. Main outcome measures: Pregnancy complications. Results: Main adolescents age was 17.5 years 61,2% didi not complete high school, only 8,6% currently studied, 83% was housewife 71% of the male couples had older age. Adolescents had less prenatal control than the adult pregnant women, 83% versus89%, but p > 0.005. Most frequent adolescent complications were urinary tract infection (p = 0,00), anemia, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, bone dystocia, cord dystocia, placental aging, prolonged labor and pro-longed second stage, puerperal infection, and placenfa fragments retention, but without significant statistical differences in regards to the control group. Cesarean section was also more frequent in the control group, but with p > 0.005. The only complication of the newborn was large newborn for gestational age, P<0,005. Prematurity, small for gestational age, low weight and obstetrical trauma were more frequent in adolescents, but p > 0,005. Conclusions: Only urinary tract infection and large for gestational age were more frequent in adolescents. Maternal and perinatal complications represent and important problem only in adolescents psychological and social factors appear more relevant and with higher impact.