Health Problems During the First Year of Life in Infants Born to Adolescent Mothers

Abstract

The role of maternal age at birth was investigated to determine its impact on an infant's health status during the first year of life. A sample population of 112 healthy term infants born to young primiparous mothers (less than or equal to 17 years) was compared using a chart audit with a population of 92 infants born to older primiparous mothers (greater than or equal to 18 years). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of missed clinic appointments, number of emergency room visits, number of hospitalizations, number of infants fully immunized, or incidence of child abuse. Poor weight gain and fewer outpatient visits for medical problems were more frequent in the infants of the younger population. Education programs designed for pregnant adolescents should stress the proper use of health professionals and appropriate methods of infant feeding.