ADOLESCENT PREGNANCIES

Key words: Teenager, Motherhood, Delivery, Risk factor, Socioeconomic condition

Background - Unintended pregnancies among adolescents represent an important public challenge in developed and developing countries. However, there is uncertainty whether risks associated with teenage motherhood are attributable to biological factors, lifestyle or socioeconomic conditions.
Objectives - The aim of this study was to assess the effect of young age on obstetric risk factors, in conditions of free high standard maternity care.
Methods - 89 pregnancies of girls from 15 to 19 years old, who delivered between 2005 and 2009, were evaluated. Data were collected from hospital register and regional database. Results - Adolescent pregnancy rate was significantly higher in foreign than in Italian women (p=0.001). Teenage mothers had fewer Caesarean sections and instrumental deliveries than adults (p= 0.001).
Conclusions - Adolescent pregnancies can be divided into two age-related groups: between 15 and 17 years old the girls are mainly Italians in low socioeconomic conditions, between 17 and 19 years the girls are mainly foreigners reproducing their own cultural and reproductive behaviours. Although our numbers are small, our data confirm the low incidence of obstetric pathologies among adolescents.