Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS, cilt.59, sa.4, ss.410-416, 2024 (ESCI)
Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and serious medical and psychosocial complications of pregnant and postpartum adolescent patients at a pediatric emergency department (PED). Materials and Methods: Demographic and clinical data of all pregnant and postpartum adolescents who presented to the PED of a single tertiary referral hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were collected and documented retrospectively. Results: Twenty-seven patients with a mean age of 16.7 +/- 0.8 years were included in the study. The main presenting complaints were abdominal pain (n = 9), suspicion of pregnancy (n = 5), cough, seizure, and vomiting (3 patients each). Potentially life-threatening medical complications included stroke (n = 3), placental abruption (n = 1), and carbon monoxide intoxication (n = 1). Sexual assault (n = 4), physical assault (n = 2), recurrent pregnancies (n = 5), and suicide attempts (n = 4) were serious psychological and social complications in our patient group. Conclusion: Pregnant and post-partum adolescents may present to PED with serious life- threatening complications, and permanent sequelae may occur. In addition to sexual and physical violence, various psychological problems are comorbid conditions. These patients should be managed with a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach, and these issues considered in their acute treatment and follow-up at emergency departments.