Pregnancy in patients under 16 years.

102 primigravidae and 1 multigravida patient under the age of 16 at conception were delivered in the obstetric unit of St. Heller Hospital Carshalton Surrey England during the January 1 1963 through September 31 1966 period. The incidence of pregnancy in young patients was 1.2%. The youngest patient was age 11 years and 9 months at conception; the oldest was 15 years and 11 months. The multigravid patient conceived at 13 years 6 months and 15 years 7 months. 54 patients were seen on at least 1 occasion prior to the 28th week of gestation. Another 46 patients were referred for antenatal care in the last trimester. The remaining 3 cases were admitted unbooked in early labor. all but 4 patients delivered vaginally the majority without operative intervention. The forceps rate was about equal ot the overall hospital forceps rate. The incidence of preeclampsia was considerably increased but the perinatal mortality rate was 1% for the entire group. Easy spontaneous vaginal delivery was the rule. The cesarean section rate was 4%. Pregnancy and labor usually proceed without difficulty although pregnancy in young patients presents grave sociological proglems.