Background and Aims: Teenage pregnancy is often attributed for poor maternal and neonatal outcome. The incidence is found to be more in certain communities and those with poor socioeconomic and educational status. Preterm delivery and low birthweight are also more common in teenage pregnancy. This study was aimed at the demographic profile, mode of delivery and the incidence of preterm deliveries in teenage pregnant girls.

Methods: In this prospective comparative study, two equal groupsof 250 teenage pregnant girls between 17-19 years (Group T) and pregnant women between 20-30 years of age (Group W) were evaluated regarding their demographic profile with respect to age, referral status, religion, socioeconomic and educational status. Their gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery and birthweight of the neonates were also recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 and the data analyzed using Chisquare test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results: Mean age in Group T was 18.5 years with SD 0.57 and in Group W it was 23.6 years with SD 2.30. Among Group T, 25.2% were referred from peripheral centers, while it was 4.0% in Group W. Statistically significant higher incidence of teenage pregnancy was noted among the Muslims compared to other communities (p< 0.00001). There was no statistically significant difference in teenage pregnancies with respect to their socioeconomic and educational status. Statistically significant increase in preterm delivery before 37 weeks of gestation was found in Group T as compared to Group W (p = 0.0004). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mode of delivery and birthweight of the neonates.

Conclusions: Increased incidence of teenage pregnancies was found among Muslims, compared to other communities, but there was no significant influence with respect to their educational and socioeconomic status. There was higher incidence of preterm delivery in teenage pregnancies, but there were no significant differences in the mode of delivery and birthweight of the neonates in this group.

Keywords: Teenage Pregnancy; Demographic Profile; Mode of Delivery; Birthweight.