Context: Maternal age, parity, and socioeconomic class are important determinants of obstetric outcome of pregnancy.
Teenage pregnancy constitutes a high risk pregnancy with complications arising from a combination of physiological,
anatomical, and socioeconomic factors Objective: The objective was to determine the current incidence of all teenage
pregnancies and their obstetric outcomes at UNTH, Enugu.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of all teenage pregnancies at University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital, Enugu over a 6-year period (2000--2005). A total of 74 teenage pregnancies were analyzed and compared with
105 controls (adult mothers). Results: Records of 74 teenage pregnancies were identified within the study period which
constitutes 1.67% of 4422 deliveries within the period. Majority of the teenagers (78.3%) were nulliparous. There was
statistically significant differences between the teenage mothers and older mothers in the rate of unemployment (75.7%
vs. 24.8%, P = 0.000), booking status (41.9% vs. 100%, P = 0.000) anemia (32.4% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.001), unsure of
last menstrual period (32.4% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.007), caesarean section (18.9% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.000), cephalopelvic
disproportion as an indication for caesarean section (9.4% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.001), preterm delivery (18.9% vs. 11.4%,
P = 0.001), low birth weight (23.0% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.005), episiotomy (61.7% vs. 28.7%, P = 0.001), instrumental delivery
(6.8% vs. 2.9% P = 0.001), Apgar score at 1 minute (35.1% vs. 19.1% P = 0.005), and perinatal mortality (16.2% vs.
12.4%). There were no maternal deaths.
Conclusion: Pregnant teenagers are at higher risk than their older counterparts. Female socioeducational development
and proper use of contraceptive services will help reduce teenage pregnancy rate, while perinatal care will help to
minimize it associated hazards