# Perinatal Complications Associated With Teenage Pregnancy at the IMSS-Bienestar Specialties Hospital “Dr. Carlos Canseco”, Tampico, Mexico: A Case-Control Study

## TL;DR

This study compares pregnancy complications in teenagers and adults, finding higher maternal issues in teens but more fetal complications in adult pregnancies.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into perinatal complications specific to teenage pregnancies in a Mexican hospital setting.

## Key findings

- Teenage mothers had higher rates of miscarriages, UTIs, and tears at delivery.
- Adult mothers had more cesarean sections and fetal complications like abnormal amniotic fluid levels.
- Inadequate prenatal care was slightly more common in both groups.

## Abstract

Background: Adolescent pregnancy has been increasing recently, becoming a focus of alarm for health since it presents greater risks and complications for both the mother and fetus, putting the lives of both at risk.

Objective: To identify the maternal-obstetric and perinatal complications that occur in pregnancy in women under 19 years of age compared to those in adults, and to determine whether age is a risk factor for greater complications.

Methods: This observational, analytical, and retrospective study included 239 patients with resolution of pregnancy - 92 adolescents and 147 adults - who met the selection criteria for the case-control study.

Results: A total of 37% (34) of the adolescents had inadequate prenatal control, compared to 34% (49) of the adults. Of the adolescents, 10.9% (10) had miscarriages, 8.7% (8) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 2.2% (2) had tears at delivery, which were the most frequent complications. A total of 39.5% (58) of the adults had cesarean sections; the variety of fetal position and amount of amniotic fluid only occurred in 2.0% (3) and 8.8% (13) of their products, respectively.

Conclusion: The most frequent maternal complications are miscarriages, UTIs, and hemorrhages, all of which present in a higher percentage of adolescent pregnancies. Maternal complications were more frequent in adolescents; however, the products of adult mothers had more complications.