TITLE:
Maternal and Perinatal Prognosis of Adolescent Pregnancy and Motherhood in Cotonou, Benin
AUTHORS:
Moufalilou Aboubakar, Tchimon Yéa Sètchégnon Vodouhè, Yévèdo Tohodjèdé, Gilbert Fassinou, Ingrid Olowo, Cynthia Kpalété, Christiane Tshabu Aguèmon, Justin Lewis Dénakpo
KEYWORDS:
Early Motherhood, Teenagers, Prognosis, Cotonou
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with a high risk due to significant maternal and perinatal complications. Objective: To assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes of early motherhood in Cotonou, Benin. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection over a five-year period, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. Included were parturients aged 10 to 19 years who delivered during the study period and whose medical records were adequately documented. An exhaustive sampling was performed. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.2. Results: The frequency of early motherhood was 2.45% of all deliveries. Early motherhood is the prerogative of pupils (37.9%) and apprentices (29.3%). The procreators were artisans/workers in (33.5%) and pupils/students in (24.6%). Most of these adolescents were nulliparous (93.7%) and had no medical (90.3%) or surgical history (96.7%). The maternal prognosis was guarded with a mortality of 3.3% and obstetric complications dominated by high blood pressure, eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia. The perinatal prognosis was also guarded with a stillbirth rate of 12.3% and complications, the most frequent of which was low birth weight (31.7%). Conclusion: Teenage motherhood is frequent and has a reserved prognosis, with sanitary, social and economic consequences. Its prevention will contribute to achieving the first, third and fifth sustainable development objectives.