Adolescent pregnancy
Gause, R.
American baby for expectant and new parents 42(1): 28,64
1980
DOI: 10.1016/s0031-3955(16)32755-9Document Number: 500145
With teenage pregnancies expected to number 225,000 in 1980, the social, economic and educational losses are enormous. The pregnant teenager frequently has a pattern of poor prenatal care coupled with poor nutrition, causing increased rates of mental retardation, physical malformation and early death among the newborn of teenage mothers. Other problems for the mother include damaged health, interrupted education, reduced job skills, emotional stress and family instability. Two goals are prevention and the development of good services in health care, counseling, education, family life and parenting. Good nutrition is the single factor most responsible for a healthy pregnancy, delivery and child, so pregnant teenagers should receive nutrition education.