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Maternal Complications Associated with Primiparous Adolescent Pregnancies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity, particularly in the context of inadequate prenatal care. Understanding the distribution of maternal and obstetrical complications in this population is important for improving clinical management and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational study included primiparous adolescent patients (≤18 years) and focused on the assessment of maternal and obstetrical complications. The analysis compared the frequency of these complications between adolescents with adequate prenatal care and those without adequate prenatal follow-up, aiming to identify the most common complications and their distribution according to antenatal care status. Results: Significant differences were identified between groups. Maternal infections were more frequent among patients without adequate prenatal care (24.1% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.039). Hemorrhage was significantly more frequent among patients with adequate prenatal care (59.3% vs. 35.2%, p = 0.012). Among obstetrical complications, cephalopelvic disproportion showed a significant association with prenatal care status (p = 0.034), occurring more frequently in patients without antenatal follow-up. Hypertensive disorders, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, were identified only among patients without adequate prenatal care; however, no statistically significant association was observed (p = 0.118). Placenta previa (p = 0.057) and placental abruption (p = 0.495) were also observed only among patients without adequate prenatal care. Conclusions: Primiparous adolescent patients without adequate prenatal care showed a higher frequency of maternal and obstetrical complications, particularly infections and delivery-related disorders. Prenatal monitoring was associated with earlier identification and management of maternal and obstetrical risk factors. These findings highlight the importance of improving access to antenatal care among adolescent populations.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm15124663