Adolescent health determinants for pregnancy and child health outcomes among the urban poor

Mehra, S.; Agrawal, D.

Indian Pediatrics 41(2): 137-145

2004


ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061
PMID: 15004299
Document Number: 580482
Adolescents among the urban and rural poor have a high incidence of chronic energy deficiency and anaemia, more so in girls than in boys. Adolescent pregnancies (aged 15-19 years) contribute to 19% of total fertility in India and record the highest maternal mortality rates. Besides maternal age, lack of education, low socioeconomic status, maternal undernutrition and limited access to maternal health services are important determinants of poor pregnancy outcomes. Low birth weight is the major adverse outcome for the infant and an important determinant of increased child mortality. There is a lack of data for long-term follow up of infants of adolescent mothers vs. mothers aged 20 years and above, and more specifically, in the urban poor setting.

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