Serious Medical and Psychosocial Complications in Pregnant and Postpartum Adolescents at a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and serious medical and psychosocial complications of pregnant and postpartum adolescent patients at a pediatric emergency department (PED). Demographic and clinical data of all pregnant and postpartum adolescents who presented to the PED of a single tertiary referral hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were collected and documented retrospectively. Twenty-seven patients with a mean age of 16.7 ± 0.8 years were included in the study. The main presenting complaints were abdominal pain (n = 9), suspicion of pregnancy (n = 5), cough, seizure, and vomiting (3 patients each). Potentially life-threatening medical complications included stroke (n = 3), placental abruption (n = 1), and carbon monoxide intoxication (n = 1). Sexual assault (n = 4), physical assault (n = 2), recurrent pregnancies (n = 5), and suicide attempts (n = 4) were serious psychological and social complications in our patient group. Pregnant and post-partum adolescents may present to PED with serious lifethreatening complications, and permanent sequelae may occur. In addition to sexual and physical violence, various psychological problems are comorbid conditions. These patients should be managed with a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach, and these issues considered in their acute treatment and follow-up at emergency departments.