Pregnancy outcome in unmarried teenage nulligravidae in Singapore

Abstract

Singapore, like other newly industralized countries, has seen a dramatic transformation in the social standards of its population in a particularly short space of time. Unfortunately, this period of development has been accompanied by an escalation in the number of pregnancies to unmarried teenage girls. This paper examines the obstetric and social implications of 150 such pregnancies in younger and older teenagers. Poor intrauterine growth in the younger teenager appears to be the most important adverse obstetric outcome in that mean birthweight was significantly reduced (2738 g compared to 3054 g; P less than 0.02). We believe this to be an important explanation for the five-fold increase in perinatal mortality seen in this group of mothers. Unlike some other reports, we found no significant increase in the incidence of cephalopelvic disproportion, anemia or pregnancy induced hypertension in these mothers. The social implications of teenage pregnancy in Singapore are also examined and recommendations made for methods to curb the problem.

Assessment of Maternal and Fetal Outcome by Comparing Teenage Pregnancies and Primigravidae Aged 20-29 Years.

“…Kurup AO et al [18], Lubarsky SL et al [19] also found the similar results as our study. In adolescent child bearing may have various causes and also girls physiologically not enough to become pregnant.…”

Adverse effects of young maternal age on neonatal outcomes

“…(1) Nepal, (3) India, (5,12) Nigeria, (6) the United States (8) and Singapore, (13) it contradicts the results of previous studies conducted in Nepal (7) and Finland. (9) These studies, however, used different cutoff ages to define 'young maternal age'.…”

“…(13) However, that study did not evaluate the effect of maternal socioeconomic or behavioural factors on these outcomes. (13) Based on data from the Singapore National Birth Defects Registry report in 2000, extreme maternal age was found to be a significant risk factor for non-chromosomal birth defects, a major cause of perinatal mortality locally. (14) In particular, young mothers were found to have a higher risk of having a baby with gastroschisis, a congenital anterior abdominal wall defect.…”

“…(13) Low birth weight, which is largely due to poor intrauterine growth, was found to result in a higher risk of low Apgar score at birth and a fivefold increased risk of perinatal mortality. (13) However, that study did not evaluate the effect of maternal socioeconomic or behavioural factors on these outcomes.…”

“…(13) Low birth weight, which is largely due to poor intrauterine growth, was found to result in a higher risk of low Apgar score at birth and a fivefold increased risk of perinatal mortality. (13) However, that study did not evaluate the effect of maternal socioeconomic or behavioural factors on these outcomes. (13) Based on data from the Singapore National Birth Defects Registry report in 2000, extreme maternal age was found to be a significant risk factor for non-chromosomal birth defects, a major cause of perinatal mortality locally.…”