The impact of teen births on mother’s and child’s health

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, the number of teenage pregnancy is increasing in consequence of social changes and sexual liberty. Moldova faces a difficult situation, just like other countries, related to the lack of sexual education, early onset of sexual life, unprotected sex. In these circumstances are outlined major problems – teen pregnancy and its complications. Adolescence affects newborn`s and mother`s health, increasing infant morbidity and mortality as well as morbidity and mortality of mothers. Most authors show that teenage pregnancy brings an increased risk of preeclampsia, premature birth, neonatal hypotrophy, advanced degrees anemia, etc.

Materials and methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal and neonatal complications Associated with teenage mothers. In the study were included 112 teenage-mothers. With the analysing of medical documentation from the Instutite of Mother and Child Care (Chisinau, Moldova). Socioeconomic data, age, number of pregnancies, antenatal care and complications, neonatal situation were considered.

Discussion results: The results of the study can be grouped in two subdivisions: the social aspects and the medical aspects of teen-births. The social aspects: The Distribution of births by the mother’s biological age is not very cleared shaped, the studied age varied from 13 to 19 years. Distribution of interviewers by area of residence. In 84 % teenage-mothers were form rural places. The Civil status of interviewers: in 40 % of the 112 pregnant woman were not married. In this case we can speak about a vulnerable social status, in first case for new-born. The Sexual life debut was more at the age of 18 (32%) and 16 (25%). At the topic „Adolescents’ information sources about sexual life” i can conclude that medical personal, brochures, parents cannot make a good imagine to attract teenagers to talk about sexuality. Adolescents have more confidence in friends or media(35% and 20%). Also the Topic” The level of knowledge about contraception methods” is not clear, in only 46% they said that they know methods of contraception, but didn`t use them. Unknowingness at the topic „The level of knowledge about unprotected sex risks” was at 63 %. The direction of confidence of pregnant-adolescent is very clear determinated and oriented to child`s father (65%). At the second place is a medical personnel (22%). The Acceptance degree of the New-Born is 90% positive, this represents a low degree of abandonment. In 100 % was a positive answer at the questions the „Necessity of “Sexual education” courses”. The medical aspects: In 77 % the birth was at normal period. And in 62% was per vias naturalis. On the other hand, there were found many complications. Iron deficiency anemia in 96 %, STDs / genitourinary tract infections in 38%, Failure of contraction forces in 46 %, etc. Approximately 90% of the adolescents that gave birth per vias naturalis had birth canal laceration at different levels. Also some new-born complications were found. They are Neonatal jaundice (63%), Child affected by the umbilical cord circulation (42%),Child affected by caesarean section (38%), etc.

Conclusion: Analyzing study data, I concluded that young age brings with it some risks during birth. Literature data also warns us about the risks, which will be reflected both newborn`s health as well as his mother. Teenage-mothers had a low level of education, also were not informed about contraception methods, and some of them cannot provide with all necessities for life or existence.