A Clinical and Statistical Study of the Teenage Pregnancy

Yang, W Y; Ko, M S; Jung, J K; Jung, B W; Lee, H H; Yoon, K H; Shin, S K

Abstract

Social and Sexual mores have been changing rapidly and the problem of teenage pregnancy continues to grow in this country. Recently, industrialization and a complex urban society unduly prolong education and delay marriage and sexual gratification, and little attention has been given to the adolescent who are more susceptible and vulnerable than adults in physical, socioeconomical and psychological aspects. Several studies indicate that good prenatal care, meticulous medical care, intensive nutritional counselings and attention to the psychological, socioeconomic problems of pregnancy reduce the perinatal death and complication rate for pregnant teenagers. The objective of the study was to compare several obstetric characteristics and outcomes of one hundred ninety four pregnant under age 20 who were delivered at department of obstetrics and gynecology, Mokpo St. Columban Hospital from January 1992 to December 1996 to those of two hundred pregnant aged 20~29 who were chosen at random during the same period as the control group. The results were as follows; 1. The proportion of birth to teenagers increased from 1.08% of all birth in 1992 to 2.11% in 1996. 2. Almost cases were in high teen group, age of 14~19. The majority (58.8%) were in the age of 19. 3. 110 cases (56.7%) had no previous pregnancy history. Seven patients had three times, and one patient had four times of previous pregnancy history. 4. The frequency of prenatal care was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). 5. The mean gestational period was 40+1 weeks, and there was no significant difference between the study group and the control group. The incidence of preterm and postterm delivery was not significant difference between the two groups. 6. The mean weight gain of pregnant teenagers was 11.27 kg, significantly smaller than the control group. The maternal weight gain of 5.0~9.9kg was significantly higher than the control group. 7. The mean birth weight (3.06kg) of infant was significantly smaller than the control group. The incidence of 1,500~2,499 gm birth weight 6.2%) was significantly higher than the control group (2.0%). 8. The rate of abdominal delivery (5.7%) was significantly lower than the control group (20.5%). 9. The incidence of cephalopelvic disproportion and contracted pelvis for cesarean section was somewhat higher than the control group, but not significant statistically. 10. In the antepartum complication, anemia, cystitis, and pregnancy induced hypertension occurred more frequently in the teenage pregnancy than the control group, but not significant statistically. 11. In the postpartum complication, anemia (29.9%), urinary tract infection (13.9%) occurred more frequently than the control group, but not significant statistically. 12. The perinatal mortality, low Apgar score, intrauterine growth retardation, and congenital anomaly were not significant different between the two groups.