Neonatal Complications of Teenage Pregnancies: Prospective Study About 209 Cases in Senegal

Summary: Early pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal and neonatal complications with significant neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The objective was to assess morbidity and analyze the causes of neonatal mortality linked to these early pregnancies. Methodology: This was a prospective and descriptive study that took place from August 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017 in a hospital in Dakar. Included were newborns born to mothers aged 19 and under who gave birth in the maternity hospital. Results: 209 parturient were collected out of a total of 2073 parturient (10.08%). The average age was 17.59 years. Thinness was noted in 7.3% and overweight in 19%. Pregnancy was poorly followed in 32.1%. The most common obstetric complications were the threat of premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes (PRM), arterial hypertension and preeclampsia. The indications for Caesarean sections were dominated by pelvic abnormalities (28.4%) and PRM (11.4%). The most common neonatal complications were prematurity 39.1%, respiratory distress 12.72%, maternal-fetal infections 12.27% and perinatal asphyxia 8.18%. Mortality was 8.2%. The number of prenatal consultation less than 4 was significantly associated with neonatal deaths. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is the source of many complications, especially in newborns. It is necessary to conduct communications campaigns in order to stem them.