Adolescent pregnancy in Upper Egypt.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the reasons for adolescent pregnancy in Upper Egypt and to evaluate maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

All primigravidae under 30 years of age who attended the labor/delivery ward at Sohag University Hospital, Sohag, Egypt, between December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2009, were invited to participate. Participants were allocated to the study group (up to 19 years of age at first pregnancy) or the control group (20-30 years of age at first pregnancy). Maternal, obstetric, fetal, and neonatal complications were compared between the groups, and adolescent participants completed a questionnaire to identify the reasons for pregnancy.

RESULTS

In total, 58.2% had married seeking motherhood. Rates of ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and cesarean were significantly higher among adolescents younger than 15 years of age; the risk then decreased steadily with age and became comparable to the control group after 16 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Adolescent pregnancy increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and cesarean among mothers up to 16 years of age. After 16 years of age, pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of obstetric or neonatal complications.