Health Risks and Psychosocial Outcomes of Early Childbearing

Abstract

This article presents a review of the literature on the obstetric, medical, and neonatal health risks as well as psychosocial outcomes associated with early childbearing. An important concern in adolescent pregnancies is the increased risk for infant morbidity and mortality as a result of higher incidence of preterm births and low-birthweight infants. Implications for prenatal and postpartum nursing care are discussed. Promising new models to improve care of young mothers and their children, such as home visitation by public health nurses, are presented and features of successful intervention programs outlined.