Pregnancy and Labor in Tanzanian Primigravidae Aged 15 Years and Under

Abstract

The outcome of pregnancy and labor in 259 Tanzanian primigravidae 15 years and under is compared with that of 377 primigravidae between the ages of 21 and 25. The risk of antenatal complications, such as anemia, and premature labor and low birth weight babies was much higher in the younger age group. There was no difference in the incidence of preeclampsia or complications during labor between the two groups. The younger women had a lower perinatal mortality rate than the controls.