Understanding the burden of teenage pregnancy: A five-year analysis at a tertiary care center of northern Karnataka in India

Abstract

: The present study was planned to comprehensively investigate the epidemiological aspects and clinical feto-maternal outcomes associated with teenage pregnancy, to provide a holistic understanding of teenage pregnancy and the possible solutions. : This is retrospective record-based research conducted over a five-year period, spanning from January 2018 to December 2022, in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care centre in northern part of Karnataka, India. The teenage pregnancy was considered as all pregnancies that occurred in women aged between 13 to 19 years who visited the institute for delivery during the study period. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, encompassing various facets of their antenatal experiences, delivery methods, postpartum complications, as well as the well-being of the new-borns. : A total of deliveries 52,715 deliveries had been recorded in our institute during the study period. Among these deliveries, 1,754 were among teenagers, resulting in a prevalence rate of 3.33%. Nearly one-fifth (19.16%) of teenage mothers were short stature whereas only 7.02% of adult mothers were short stature. The relatively higher proportion of teenage mothers were underweight. Maternal and fetal complication were comparatively higher among teenage mothers whereas caesarean sections were relatively more among adult mothers. : The present study emphasizes the importance of targeted healthcare interventions, including improved prenatal care, nutritional support, and education for teenage mothers, to mitigate these risks and improve the overall health and well-being of both mothers and their infants.