16-year-old gives birth to second set of triplets

A 16-YEAR-OLD girl has given birth to triplets for the second time in a case which has stunned doctors and caused outrage in Argentina.

The girl, named only as Pamela, had a second set of female triplets earlier this month after giving birth to her first set at the age of 15 in July 2006. She had her first child, a boy, when she was just 14.

All seven children were born prematurely but without fertility treatment.

While doctors say the three newborns and their mother are well, the case has sparked debate across Argentina.

The girl, who turns 17 on Monday, and comes from the town of Leones in the province of Córdoba, has received help from local authorities, including the building of a house for the family on some donated land.

Pamela’s mother, Magdalena, 49, who works as a cleaner to support her grandchildren, said: “When we knew that we would again have triplets we wanted to die.

“She has no job, the father of the triplets left and I am the sole breadwinner for her and her family.”

The case has sparked debate across the Roman Catholic country, with the media saying rather than financial help, she should have received better sex education and birth control advice.

Both sets of triplets are girls and were born without the aid of fertility treatment.

Discussion of the teenager’s alleged promiscuity is a hot topic in the country’s cafes and bars, while many Argentinians have expressed their concern and disgust in letters to newspapers.

Many argue that Pamela needs more advice on contraception.