A Comparative Observational Study of Feto-Maternal Outcomes between Pregnancies in Women <19yrs V/S Pregnancies in Women >30yrs

Background: The objective of this study was to document the number of pregnancies in women aged ≤19 and ≥30 years, at a tertiary care hospital, to compare social characteristics such as religion, education, occupation, and contraceptive use between the two age groups. Additionally, the study examined the incidence of anemia, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes in both groups during pregnancy, as well as differences in delivery mode, birth weight, and fetal outcomes. Methods: This prospective study, conducted at Darbhanga Medical College from September 2022 to February 2024, compares maternal and neonatal outcomes in 100 pregnant women aged ≤19 and ≥30 years using comprehensive statistical analysis. Results: The study found no significant differences in marital status (82% vs. 96%, p=0.238), rural residency (76% vs. 64%, p=0.255), hemoglobin levels (8.78±1.09 vs. 9.44±1.7 g/dL, p=0.213), or cesarean delivery rates (74% vs. 48%, p=0.865) between pregnant women under 19 and over 30 years. Eclampsia incidence was higher in older women (10% vs. 4%, p=0.008). Neonatal deaths (14% vs. 4%, p=0.24) and low birth weights (50% vs. 36%, p=0.247) were more common in younger women, though these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Women aged ≤19 require more attention to prevent preterm births and improve neonatal outcomes, while women aged ≥30 need monitoring for gestational hypertension and diabetes. The study also concluded that pregnant women over 30 had a higher incidence of eclampsia, while those under 19 experienced more neonatal deaths and low birth weights. Although these trends were observed, other factors like marital status, rural residency, and cesarean delivery rates showed no significant differences between the two age groups.