Maternal deaths in teenage mothers.

In developing countries such as Zambia, teenage pregnancy is common and dangerous. In this study, out of 677 teenage mothers 33 died. The causes of this alarming mortality are documented and show the influence of sepsis, obstructed labour and uterine rupture. Malaria was an important associated cause. Only a major education programme with discouragement of pregnancy in young girls is likely to influence this distressing problem.