The Distribution of Congenital Malformations in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Single Tertiary Center Experience in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Adolescent pregnancies are more severe and dangerous for both mother and baby than adult pregnancies. Low birth weight, infections, intrauterine growth restriction, sudden infant death syndrome, and death risk are higher in neonates of adolescent pregnant women. Besides, anomalies of central nervous, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems are also seen frequently. The purpose of this study is to investigate congenital malformations of infants born from adolescent mothers. In this study, malformations were grouped according to the systems.
 Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, 166 pregnant women aged 18 and under who had fetal anomaly were included in the study and their charts reviewed. Descriptive information about the adolescents and information about the fetuses and anomalies were recorded. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were calculated as frequency and percentage.
 Results: The most common anomalies were the central nervous (40.5%), cardiovascular (15.8%), and urinary (10.8%) system. The anomalies related to the skin and phalanges, including the face, accounted for 8.1% of the cases. Ventricular dilatation (10,4%), neural tube defect (7,2%), and hydrocephalus (7,2%) were the most common abnormalities of the central nervous system. Ventricular septal defect (5,9%), pulmonary artery anomaly (2,7%), and tricuspid valve anomaly (2,3%) were the most common cardiovascular system anomalies. Intrauterine growth restriction (3,6%), pleural effusion/hydrothorax (3,2%), pes equinovarus (2,7%), diaphragmatic hernia (2,3%), cystic hygroma (2,3%), oligohydramnios (2,3%), polyhydramnios (2,3%), and cleft palate/lip (2,3%) were the most common anomalies among the other system and organ anomalies.
 Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy was partially associated with an increased risk of severe neonatal anomalies especially in the central nervous, cardiovascular, and urinary systems. Pediatric health care providers should have a low threshold for suspecting pregnancy in adolescents.

Prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcomes of 149 fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot accompanied by concomitant cardiac and extracardiac anomalies

“…A substantial percentage of TOF cases were observed with extracardiac abnormalities. [21][22][23] Several previous reports found that the incidence of TOF cases with one or more congenital extracardiac abnormalities was 17-28%. The most common extracardiac anomalies were detected to be genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal abnormalities.…”

Retrospective analysis of prenatal invasive diagnostic procedures in a tertiary center

“…Chromosomal anomalies are detected in approximately 50-60% of spontaneous abortions and 2-4% of all newborns. Fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities are at risk for adverse fetal outcomes, and these abnormalities cause 20% of deaths in the first year of life [1][2][3][4]. Chromosomal abnormalities represent approximately 15% of the major congenital anomalies diagnosed before the age of 1 year in Europe [5].…”

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Fear of Childbirth Among Pregnant Adolescents in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…1 In addition to their obstetric and perinatal risks, APs are related to educational, parenting, and mental health problems. [2][3][4][5][6] The dual biological transitions of pregnancy and adolescence might elevate the stress levels and the physical and psychological vulnerability of the person. 7 Also, AP frequently happens within circumstances of risk, which expose adolescent females to various causes of psychosocial trou-ble and difficulties in reaching support and care.…”