Childhood pregnancy and a successful delivery: A case report

Background: Childhood pregnancy is a public health problem that requires urgent attention. It is associated with significant negative impaction on physical, mental, social and economic health of the mother and child. To reduce the risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, specialized antenatal care and health education are important. 

Objective: To report a case of childhood pregnancy following a rape, her successful antenatal care and delivery.

Methods: The case note of the patient was retrieved and the management reviewed. Relevant review of the literature on the subject was also done.

Result: She was an 11 year old student, primigravida, who registered for antenatal care at 34 weeks gestation. She was sexually abused by an unknown armed man on her way to buy food at night. Booking parameters were normal and pregnancy was supervised and remained uneventful until 37 weeks gestation when she was admitted in antenatal ward for an elective caesarean section. Subsequently, she was delivered of a live male baby with good APGAR score. Mother and baby were discharged in good clinical state.

Conclusion: The case is that of a childhood pregnancy which is a global health issue associated with myriad of maternal and perinatal morbidities and mortality.  Integrated antenatal care and psychological support during this period will go a long way to improve maternal and fetal outcome.