Adolescence pregnancies bellow the age 18 years are associated with a significant number of premature births and low-birth-weights. There is increased risk of preeclampsia, eclampsia, obstetric cholestasis, twin gestation, anaemia, preterm labour, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine foetal growth restriction, and intrauterine foetal death in adolescent pregnancies. Maternal age above the age of 40 years is also an independent risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Advanced maternal age is associated with hypertensive conditions including pre-eclampsia during pregnancy which necessitate preterm delivery either by induction of labour or caesarean delivery and resultant admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Author(s) Details:
Kimera Lukanga Charles,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Namibia.
Linda N. Lukolo,
Department of Community and Family, Medicine School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Namibia.
