PRE-MATURE BIRTH

-Premature babies are at higher risk for mortality in their first year. -They are also subject to a variety of health risks such as neurological disorders, heart conditions, infections, respiratory troubles and intestinal problems. -Premature babies are also at risk for long-term mental and growth disabilities.

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

-Teenage mothers often do not gain a sufficient amount of weight during pregnancy because they are still developing and growing themselves. -This leads to low birth weight for babies, which can result in a baby's death before age 1. -Babies who are born at a low birth weight are also at risk for not having fully developed organs. This can cause respiratory and digestive problems and bleeding in the brain.

IMMATURE ORGAN SYSTEMS/ PHYSICAL ABNORMALITIES

-Premature babies have immature organs and the lungs especially are not matured which results in respiratory dysfunction -These babies also can suffer from bleeding in the brain, intestinal problems and vision loss - Newborn Congenital Abnormalities or birth defects

MENTAL RETARDATION
-This is a condition in which there is delay or deficiency in all aspects of development, i.e. there is global and noticeable deficiency in the development of motor, cognitive, social, and language functions. -Examples: Cerebral Palsy, Language Developmental Disability, Autism, Dyslexia, Conduct Disorders

INFANT MORTALITY/ DEATH

LACK OF PRENATAL CARE

-Since most teenage pregnancies are accidental, teenagers are less likely to receive prenatal care, which includes instruction and support for the mother during pregnancy, monitoring the baby and mother during pregnancy and running routine tests. -Not getting the prenatal care increases the risks of nutritionrelated problems with the baby, such as birth defects from the lack of folic acid and other essential nutrients, according to WomensHealth.gov. -Without proper monitoring of the mother and baby's health, certain conditions, like gestational diabetes and hypertension may go untreated.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

-According to KidsHealth.org, the younger a person is when she starts having sex, the more likely she is to contract a sexually transmitted disease. -Approximately 48 percent of sexually transmitted infections occur in people ages 15 to 24, according to PregnantTeenHelp.org some of these infections include chlamydia which can cause pneumonia or eye infections in the baby, syphilis which may cause blindness or even death and HIV which may be passed on to the baby.

UNHEALTHY TEEN LIFESTYLES

-Many teens experiment in unhealthy lifestyle choices that may affect their babies, according to WomensHealthChanel.com. -Teenage girls are more likely than women in their 20s to smoke during pregnancy. -Smoking while pregnant may cause low birth weight in the babies as well as other health problems, since it interferes with oxygen supply.

UNHEALTHY TEEN LIFESTYLES -Alcohol may cause fetal alcohol disorders, according to the March of Dimes. -Smoking, alcohol and recreational drug use may cause a wide spectrum of health problems for the baby and the teenage mother.

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

- Poor eating habits are common among teenagers, which may result in low pregnancy weight gain and poor nutrition.

PREMATURE LABOR
- Teenage mothers face the possibility of premature labor or labor that starts before 37 weeks gestation. -Physically, teenage mothers have immature reproductive organs that may not be prepared to carry an infant to term.

PREMATURE LABOR
-Journal of Perinatology noted in a 2002 study that an immature cervix and metabolic system play a role in causing preterm birth in teen moms. -Sexually transmitted diseases and smoking also increase the risk of preterm labor.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

-The increased demand for blood flow during pregnancy can place strain on a teenage mothers underdeveloped cardiovascular system, which can be unprepared to handle the extra circulatory load. -High blood pressure, also called pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), can develop as a result.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE -Preeclampsia

-Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) generally begins after the 20th week of pregnancy and is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. - Symptoms of preeclampsia include persistent headaches, blurred vision, abdominal pain, and sensitivity to light.

ANEMIA

Types of anemia may develop: a. Iron-deficiency anemia - This type of anemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. -In iron-deficiency anemia, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body. -Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy.

b. Folate-deficiency anemia - Folate, also called folic acid, is a type of B vitamin. The body needs folate to produce new cells, including healthy red blood cells. - During pregnancy, women need extra folate. But sometimes they don't get enough from their diet. When that happens, the body can't make enough normal red blood cells to transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. - Folate deficiency can directly contribute to certain types of birth defects.

ANEMIA

ANEMIA

c. Vitamin B12 deficiency -The body needs vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells. -When a pregnant woman doesn't get enough vitamin B12 from her diet, her body can't produce enough healthy red blood cells. -Women who don't eat meat, poultry, dairy products, and eggs have a greater risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, which may contribute to birth defects.

WHAT TO DO?