CHENNAI: A new study conducted by doctors from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and published in the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research has found a clear upward trend in teenage pregnancies in the Poonamallee Health Unit District (HUD) between 2022 and 2025.
The study, led by Dr Nandhini Selvanesan, along with Dr B Pradeepaa, Dr TS Ramakrishnan and Dr J Prabakaran, analysed official Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) records of 281 teenage pregnancies.
While the overall prevalence during the three-year period stood at a modest 1.09%, researchers observed a sharp rise to nearly 2% in 2024–25, compared to around 1.1–1.3% in earlier years. Public health experts caution that even small increases deserve attention.
“Teenage pregnancy carries a disproportionate burden of health risks, both for the mother and newborn,” the authors noted. “The recent rise coincides with the introduction of PICME 3.0 in January 2024, which strengthened pregnancy registration through mandatory Aadhaar-based tracking, suggesting that improved reporting may have revealed cases that previously went undocumented.”
The study highlighted worrying maternal health outcomes among adolescent mothers. Nearly one in four teenage pregnancies was classified as high-risk.
Anaemia emerged as the most common complication, affecting over 9% of cases, followed by hypothyroidism and gestational diabetes. Such conditions are known to increase the likelihood of preterm births, low birth weight and long-term health challenges for both mother and child.
More than 73% of pregnancies occurred among girls aged 18–19, pointing to the fragile transition period between adolescence and early adulthood. No pregnancies were reported among girls below 15
Delivery patterns further underline the vulnerability of this age group. While 66% of teenage pregnancies resulted in normal deliveries, almost 32% required caesarean sections, a relatively high proportion for adolescents. Abortions accounted for about 2% of cases.
The age distribution offers additional insight. More than 73% of pregnancies occurred among girls aged 18–19, pointing to the fragile transition period between adolescence and early adulthood. No pregnancies were reported among girls below 15, suggesting that early adolescence may be better shielded, while older teenagers remain exposed to social and familial pressures.
The findings align with national data. NFHS-5 shows that 6% of girls aged 15–19 in TN are childbearing, a figure unchanged over the past decade. Early marriage, limited educational opportunities and barriers to adolescent-friendly reproductive health services continue to be key drivers.
The authors argued that the study should serve as a policy wake-up call. Strengthening school-based health education, enforcing child marriage laws, and ensuring timely, respectful maternal care for adolescents are critical to preventing avoidable complications.
IN A NUTSHELL
(Data source: PICME (Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation) records)
Study period: 2022–2025
Location: Poonamallee Health Unit District (HUD), suburban Chennai
Total teenage pregnancies analysed: 281
Overall prevalence: 1.09%
Recent trend: Rose to 2% in 2024–25 after PICME 3.0 rollout
Age profile:
18–19 years: 73.3%
17–18 years: 20.3%
Below 16 years: Negligible
None under 15
Delivery outcomes:
Normal deliveries: 66%
Caesarean sections: 32%
Abortions: 2%
High-risk pregnancies: 23.3%
Anaemia: 9.3%
Hypothyroidism: 6%
Gestational diabetes: 3.3%
Key drivers:
Early marriage
Lower education levels
Limited access to adolescent-friendly reproductive health services
Public health takeaway:
Even low prevalence masks significant maternal risks
Calls for targeted adolescent health education, early risk detection, and improved maternal care