Adolescent pregnancy: biobehavioral determinants of outcome
Zuckerman, B.S.; Walker, D.K.; Frank, D.A.; Chase, C.; Hamburg, B.
Journal of Pediatrics 105(6): 857-863
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3476 PMID: 6389811 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(84)80066-9Document Number: 418857
A literature review addresses biologic, social, and behavioral factors that mediate (or modify) medical and social risks in adolescent pregnancy. Areas examined include the effect of research designs; neonatal mortality and morbidity, infant growth, and maternal and infant health; social and developmental outcomes for the mother and infant; and the protective factors of family support and intervention approaches. It is concluded that the consequences of adolescent pregnancy in the US society only can be understood in a social and behavioral context, and that there appear to be no intrinsic biological barriers to successful perinatal outcomes for both the infant and the mother. (wz)