Feto-maternal Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Primigravid Mothers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a worldwide common health problem bearing serious social and medical implications relating to maternal and child health. In Bangladesh, pregnancy among adolescent girls is high. Approximately 66% of women under 18 years old reporting a first birth.
Objectives: We aimed to examine the obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of adolescent mother associated with first birth.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken to compare the different socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of adolescent primigravida mothers with those of adult primigravida mothers in a tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh. A sample of 61 adolescent mothers in cases and 61 adult mothers of comparison group comprised the study subjects. Data were collected through interviews and by observations using a predesigned schedule.
Results: Results revealed that the adolescent mothers had a higher incidence (24.6%) of caesarian deliveries compared to 4.9% in the adult mother (OR: 6.304, 95% CI: 1.712-23.1, p=0.002). Term delivery was also higher 85.2% among adolescent group (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.161-6.842, P=0.019). However, adult mother had greater incidence of postdated delivery (OR: 0.236, 95% CI: 0.073-0.764, P=0.011) and spontaneous onset of labor (OR: 0.442, 95% CI: 0.212-0.921, P=0.028). There was no significant difference found regarding neonatal outcomes like preterm, low birth weight, low APGAR score and NICU admission. Most of the adolescent mother are jobless in comparison to adult mother (p=0.015).
Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is still a rampant and important public-health problem in Bangladesh with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes which can be overcome by creating awareness with quality antenatal, intranasal and postnatal care.

The Journal of Ad-din Women's Medical College; Vol. 12 (1), Jan 2024; p 24-31