Teenage pregnancy remains a pressing public health concern, particularly in developing regions such as Misan Province, Iraq, where early marriage, limited education, and socio-economic challenges contribute to rising adolescent birth rates. This study aimed to assess the impact of teenage pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes by comparing teenage mothers aged ≤16 years with adult mothers aged >16–35 years. A case-control study was conducted at Misan City Hospital from January 2024 to January 2025, involving 250 women in labour. The case group included 120 teenage mothers, while the control group included 130 adult mothers. Sociodemographic data, antenatal care patterns, maternal complications, and neonatal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Teenage mothers were more likely to be less educated, unemployed, nulliparous, and have irregular antenatal care. Statistically significant maternal complications among teenage mothers included higher rates of anaemia (38.3%) and preterm labour (21.7%) compared to adult mothers (16.2% and 11.5%, respectively). Neonatal outcomes were also poorer in the teenage group, with significantly lower mean birth weight (2.3 kg vs. 3.16 kg), higher rates of low birth weight (29.2%), lower 1-minute Apgar scores (<7 in 16.7% vs. 7.7%), and increased NICU admissions (25.8% vs. 12.3%). These findings highlight the heightened risks of both maternal and neonatal complications among adolescent mothers, largely driven by biological immaturity, poor nutritional status, and inadequate antenatal care. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including adolescent reproductive health education, early antenatal registration, and community-based support to reduce teenage pregnancies and improve health outcomes. Strengthening policies to delay marriage and promote girls’ education will be crucial in mitigating the long-term socio-economic and health impacts associated with teenage pregnancies in Iraq.

Index Terms: Teenage pregnancy, maternal outcomes, neonatal complications, adolescent health, Iraq.