Beyond the Bump: Comparing Feto-Neonatal Outcomes in Teenage and Adult Pregnancies in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy remains a global public health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Adolescents face a higher risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes due to physical immaturity, limited education, inadequate antenatal care (ANC), and insufficient family support. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy, compare feto-neonatal outcomes between teenage and adult mothers, and examine the influence of maternal education, ANC attendance, and family support on these outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Hospital records of all teenage mothers aged 13–19 years who delivered between January 2013 and June 2014 were reviewed. Each case was matched with two controls aged 20–35 years. Data on maternal sociodemographic characteristics, ANC attendance, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were extracted. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results:  Of the 4,235 deliveries recorded during the study period, 118 (2.8%) were teenage pregnancies. After exclusions, 90 teenage cases and 180 adult controls were included in the analysis. Teenage pregnancies were significantly associated with lower gestational age at birth, lower APGAR scores, lower birth weights, and higher perinatal mortality rates (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that teenage pregnancy (OR = 10.53), fewer than two ANC visits (OR = 11.42), and lack of formal education (OR = 5.27) were strong predictors of perinatal death. Family support and socioeconomic status also had a significant influence on outcomes among teenage mothers.
 
Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Strengthening adolescent reproductive health education, improving access to antenatal care, and enhancing family support systems are essential strategies for reducing these risks.