Higher death rates in children of teens

THE death rate for babies and toddlers of teenage mothers is 60% higher than that for children of older women, new research shows.

The research also reveals that single young mums are three times more likely than older women to experience postnatal depression.

The study, published in the Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, was conducted by doctors at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

The doctors looked atadverse outcomes associated with teenage pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature birth, small babies and those with a low birth weight.

One reason given for the high number of adverse outcomes in teenage pregnancy was gynaecological immaturity. There is a greater risk of obstructed labour for adolescent mothers because their pelvises are smaller.

The study’s co-author consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Louise Kenny said more research into the causes of poor pregnancy outcome was urgently needed.

Dr Kenny said it was still unclear whether poor outcomes were due to biological challenges or the consequences of socio-demographic factors.

The journal’s editor-in-chief Prof Neil McClure said attendance for the majority of teenage mothers was generally poor with many only seeking help late in pregnancy.

“All too often, these teenagers slip through the system and we do not find out about them until there is a problem,” he said.