Objective: To determine the reasons for adolescent pregnancy in Upper Egypt and to evaluate maternal, fetal,
and neonatal outcomes. Methods: All primigravidae under 30 years of age who attended the labor/delivery
ward at Sohag University Hospital, Sohag, Egypt, between December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2009, were
invited to participate. Participants were allocated to the study group (up to 19 years of age at first pregnancy)
or the control group (20–30 years of age at first pregnancy). Maternal, obstetric, fetal, and neonatal
complications were compared between the groups, and adolescent participants completed a questionnaire to
identify the reasons for pregnancy. Results: In total, 58.2% had married seeking motherhood. Rates of ectopic
pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and cesarean were
significantly higher among adolescents younger than 15 years of age; the risk then decreased steadily with
age and became comparable to the control group after 16 years of age. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy
increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, preterm
labor, and cesarean among mothers up to 16 years of age. After 16 years of age, pregnancy is not associated
with increased risk of obstetric or neonatal complications.
© 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved