Title:Pregnancy Outcomes in Adolescents: A Case-Control Study in the West of
Iran
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Salman Khazaei, Saeid Bashirian, Akram Bathaei , Mohadese Sadri , Fateme Shirani and Ensiyeh Jenabi *
Affiliation:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Keywords:
Pregnancy, adolescent, case-control, neonatal, maternal, perinatal.
Abstract:
Background: Adolescent pregnancy, pregnancy in women aged between 13-19 years, is
considered a major health problem.
Objective: This study was performed to determine the maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes
of adolescent pregnancies.
Materials and Methods: The present hospital-based case-control study was performed on pregnant
women who were referred to Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan City for delivery. The case group was
pregnant women whose gestational age was less than 19 years (adolescent pregnancy), and the control
group included pregnant women whose gestational age was at 19-35 years (adult women pregnancy).
Data were analyzed using Stata software version 14. The significant level was considered
less than 0.05.
Results: The unwanted pregnancy was significantly higher in adolescent women (45% vs. 28.5%,
P=0.002). 18% of adolescent women had the experience of spouse violence compared to 4.25% in
the control group (P<0.001). Accessing prenatal care and supplements were significantly higher in
adult women (P<0.05). The adult mothers had significantly higher cesarean section delivery compared
adolescent group (54.91% vs. 33%, P<0.001). Also, there was a significant association between
postpartum hemorrhages and the study group (22% in cases compared to 13.75% in the control
group, P=0.04). The Apgar score 1 minute was significantly higher in adult mothers
(8.05±2.08 vs. 7.39±2.05, P<0.001).
Conclusion: In conclusion, adolescent mothers in the west of Iran had a higher risk of inadequate
prenatal care, low Apgar score, and postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, society should focus on
public health policies that can improve the adequacy of prenatal care among adolescents.
