Medical and social factors affecting early teenage pregnancy. A literature review and summary of the findings of the Louisiana Infant Mortality Study

Abstract

A total of 414 births occurred to women under 15 years of age in Louisiana in 1972. The infant mortality rates of these children ranged from 6 to 50 per thousand live births when various combinations of medical and social factors were considered. Highest risk is asigned to the offspring of mothers who were poor, or white, or married, or with limited prenatal care. Prenatal care was generally less in the teenager than the older woman. The teenage stillbirth, perinatal mortality, prematurity, and infant mortality rates are generally higher than those in older women. This study confirms the findings of other authors that the offspring of teenage mothers are at greater risk than the offspring of older women although quality prenatal care and origin in a favorable socioeconomic background will ameliorate substantial elements of this risk.