Perinatal outcome in adolescent pregnancies: a case-control study from a Turkish university hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study which enrolled 1460 singleton adolescent pregnancies and 2980 controls, delivered at Hacettepe University Hospital between January 1990 and January 1998.

RESULTS

Significantly higher rate of perinatal and severe perinatal complications were noted in adolescents. The presence of historical risks, multiparity, young age and lack of prenatal care were significant predictors of these complications. Exclusion of them except for age, revealed comparable perinatal and severe perinatal complications in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Adolescent women who receive adequate prenatal care are at no greater risk of an adverse obstetric outcome than adult women of a similar sociodemographic background.