Research Article

Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study

Volume: 65 Number: 2 June 10, 2026
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Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim: Adolescent pregnancy remains a major global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. Biological immaturity combined with social vulnerability predisposes adolescent mothers to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care patterns, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies compared with adult pregnancies. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,060 mothers who delivered at a tertiary referral center in western Türkiye between 2018 and 2023. Women aged ≤19 years were classified as adolescents and compared with adults aged 20–34 years. Demographic features, antenatal care utilization, and neonatal outcomes were obtained from hospital records. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and continuous variables with Student’s t-test. Results: Of the cohort, 660 were adolescents and 400 were adults. Adolescents presented significantly later for antenatal care (p < 0.001) and had fewer antenatal visits. First-trimester screening uptake was extremely low in adolescents, with 89.5% receiving no screening (p < 0.001). Adolescents had higher cesarean delivery rates (p < 0.001). Overall pregnancy complications were more frequent in adolescents (p < 0.001), with fetal growth restriction significantly higher (6.4% vs. 1.3%). Preterm birth occurred more often among adolescents (p = 0.016). Neonates of adolescent mothers had significantly lower 1- and 5-minute APGAR scores, and low 5-minute APGAR (<7) was more common (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with delayed and inadequate antenatal care, poor screening uptake, higher obstetric complication rates, increased cesarean delivery, and worse neonatal condition at birth.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Surgery (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

June 10, 2026

Submission Date

January 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 65 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1865019

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98SJ73BD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Uçar, İ., Yaprak, E., Kantarcı, S., Karabulut, A., Baykuş, B., İleri, A., & Özeren, M. (2026). Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study. Ege Tıp Dergisi, 65(2), 329-335. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1865019
AMA
1.Uçar İ, Yaprak E, Kantarcı S, et al. Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study. EJM. 2026;65(2):329-335. doi:10.19161/etd.1865019
Chicago
Uçar, İlker, Esra Yaprak, Sercan Kantarcı, et al. 2026. “Perinatal Outcomes in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 (2): 329-35. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1865019.
EndNote
Uçar İ, Yaprak E, Kantarcı S, Karabulut A, Baykuş B, İleri A, Özeren M (June 1, 2026) Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 2 329–335.
IEEE
[1]İ. Uçar et al., “Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study”, EJM, vol. 65, no. 2, pp. 329–335, June 2026, doi: 10.19161/etd.1865019.
ISNAD
Uçar, İlker - Yaprak, Esra - Kantarcı, Sercan - Karabulut, Alaattin - Baykuş, Batuhan - İleri, Alper - Özeren, Mehmet. “Perinatal Outcomes in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65/2 (June 1, 2026): 329-335. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1865019.
JAMA
1.Uçar İ, Yaprak E, Kantarcı S, Karabulut A, Baykuş B, İleri A, Özeren M. Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study. EJM. 2026;65:329–335.
MLA
Uçar, İlker, et al. “Perinatal Outcomes in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Ege Tıp Dergisi, vol. 65, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 329-35, doi:10.19161/etd.1865019.
Vancouver
1.İlker Uçar, Esra Yaprak, Sercan Kantarcı, Alaattin Karabulut, Batuhan Baykuş, Alper İleri, Mehmet Özeren. Perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study. EJM. 2026 Jun. 1;65(2):329-35. doi:10.19161/etd.1865019

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