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| Health Risks |
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| Some of the health risks associated with adolescent pregnancy outcomes include, higher incidences of low birth weights and smaller babies, as well as higher rates of premature births and infant morality. However according to Corcoran (1998) the higher figures reported in earlier studies may have been exaggerated, as they did not take into account socio-demographic factors such as low socio-economic status, the mother's single status and quality of prenatal care. She also suggests that undesirable pregnancy outcomes for the under fifteens, could also be attributed to medical and psychosocial factors. For example the competing nutritional demands of both adolescent and foetus, could explain the low birth weight of infants, and possible retardation of the mother's physical development (Corcoran, 1998). Research by Stevens Simon & Beach (1992), also indicated some degree of bone demineralisation in breastfeeding adolescents, although the evidence was non conclusive (Corcoran 1998).
A study by Black and DeBlassie (1985), found that infant mortality during or after pregnancy was five times greater for mothers under sixteen years of age, compared with twenty year olds (Corcoran, 1998). These higher rates of postneonatal mortality were attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (six times higher), accidents, illnesses, injuries and infection. The higher accident rates according to Zuckerman, Wolker, Frank, Chase and Hamburg (1984), could be attributed to other indirect factors such as poverty, larger families, unstable living arrangements and male involvement (Corcoran 1998, p57). |
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