Teenage mothers and the health of their children ONS青少年母亲和他们的孩子的健康.pdfVIP

9933 | | AA uutt u mu mnn P Poo pp uul l aa tt i ioo nn T Trr ee nn dd ss Teenage mothers and the health of their children Beverley Botting, Michael Rosato and Rebecca Wood Demography and Health ONS Teenage mothers continue to present challenges to social policy and remain of topical interest to the media. This article discusses trends in teenage conception rates, their outcomes and long term consequences. In 1996, 7 per cent of all births were to girls aged under 20. On average children born to teenage girls have lower birthweights, increased I N T R O D U C T I O N risk of infant mortality and an increased risk of some congenital anomalies. They are less likely to ‘Teenage conceptions tend to be both a symptom and a cause of social inequality. They can become a cycle be breastfed and more likely to live in deprived 1 of deprivation ’ circumstances. These factors in turn influence The seriousness of teenage pregnancy as a health issue was their health and long term opportunities.