Obstetric Risk and Outcomes of Teenage Pregnancy in a University Teaching Hospital, North-Central, Nigeria

Objectives: Teenage pregnancy has generated much interest in Obstetrics practice due to increasing risk to the baby and the mother. In this regard, this study was done to ascertain its incidence, obstetric risk, and outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed the obstetric data sheets of all teenage pregnancies managed between January 2013 and December 2017 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, North -Central, Nigeria. Results: Teenage deliveries included 43 cases constituting 2.06% of the total 2084 deliveries within the period. The mean age (SD) was 17.88 (±1.77) years. The commonest antenatal complications were malaria (39.5%), anaemia (37.2%), and hypertension in pregnancy (20.9%). The augmentation of labour was done for 16 parturient mothers (37.2%) and 16.3% had the induction of labour. The caesarean section rate was 16.3% and it was mostly related to obstructed labour (47.1%). In addition, episiotomy was done in 11.6% of parturient mothers and 46.5% had perineal tear. There were 37 live births out of which, 6 cases were neonatal admissions and 6 other cases were perinatal deaths. Finally, the perinatal mortality rate among the teenage deliveries was 139.5 per 1000. Conclusions: The incidence of teenage births was 2.06% with associated obstetric risks and adverse pregnancy outcomes necessitating improved obstetric care during pregnancy and delivery.