[Course and outcome of adolescent deliveries--a comparative analysis for 1992 and 2002].

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent pregnancy is considered to be risky, with potential psychosocial and health risks. From a medical point of view, adolescent pregnancy and delivery are risky and mortality of mothers and newborns is higher than in women aged 20-30. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included all adolescent deliveries at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Novi Sad in 1992 and 2002. These data were compared with those observed in women aged 19 and older, for the same years. RESULTS: In respect to the number of adolescent deliveries, a decreasing tendency is observed. Also, there is an increasing trend in the number of cesarean sections in adolescents, which follows the trend of higher rates of cesarean deliveries in general. Episiotomy is more often performed in adolescents than in older women, but a decreasing trend is also observed in this population, which was also the case in women over 19. Vacuum extraction is less frequent in cases of adolescent deliveries. A very small percentage of malformed and stillborn newborns is registered in adolescents, whereas the percentage of premature births is similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although adolescent pregnancy and delivery are risky, good obstetrical care and efficient control during delivery provide optimal conditions for successful deliveries among adolescents.