Mode of delivery and anesthesia in adolescents: a comparative analysis of Turkish and refugee populations

Adolescent pregnancy and forced migration intersect to create unique challenges for reproductive health equity, particularly in obstetric care. This study examined disparities in delivery mode, anesthesia practices, and neonatal outcomes between Turkish citizen and Syrian refugee adolescent mothers in Türkiye. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 4,170 adolescent deliveries (ages 15–19) at a tertiary hospital in Türkiye between January 2017 and December 2024. Variables included delivery mode (vaginal vs. cesarean), anesthesia type (spinal vs. general), and 1- and 5-minute APGAR scores. Comparative analyses used chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple comparisons. Spinal anesthesia was significantly more common among Turkish citizens, while general anesthesia was more frequent in the refugee group (p < 0.001). Refugees had a higher cesarean section rate (48.8% vs. 45.4%; p = 0.0445). Neonates born under spinal anesthesia had higher APGAR scores at both 1 and 5 min (p < 0.001). These disparities persisted across the study years. Observed differences in anesthesia type and neonatal outcomes between Turkish and Syrian adolescent mothers may reflect underlying differences in healthcare experiences. While the data do not directly measure factors such as informed consent, language access, or antenatal care quality, these variables warrant consideration in future studies. Targeted, culturally informed policies may help promote more equitable maternal and neonatal care for migrant populations.