Resumen

VIGIL-DE GRACIA, Paulino et al. Embarazo en adolescentes en la República de Panamá. Rev Obstet Ginecol Venez [online]. 2007, vol.67, n.2, pp.73-77. ISSN 0048-7732.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and fetal risk in pregnant women younger than 21 years of age. Method: Prospective cohort study of patients with 20 or less years of age, assisted between July and December 2001. During the study period were evaluated 2 902 patients. The population was divided into three groups: one of young adolescents (< 15 years of age), a group of mature adolescents (16 to 19 years of age) and the group of 20 years of age. Setting: The 10 hospitals with higher births in the Panama Republic. Results: There few differences among this groups. In young adolescents there is less caesarean section (P < 0.001), preeclampsia-eclampsia and low birth weight were more frequent in young adolescents (P < 0.001). The mature adolescents have more prenatal care and mayor education level. Conclusion: The young adolescents have more negative outcomes during pregnancy than the other adolescents, but these differences could be associated to socio- demographic characteristics than the biological ones associated to age.

Palabras clave : Adolescence pregnancy; Preeclampsia-eclampsia; Caesarean section; Low birth weight; Prenatal care.