Invited Paper

Influences Of Adolescent Pregnancy On Maternal And Infant Health

10.1501/Tipfak_0000000836

  • Aysun Kara Uzun
  • Filiz Șimșek Orhon

Received Date: 28.06.2012 Accepted Date: 01.07.2013 J Ankara Univ Fac Med 2013;66(1):19-24

In a broader sense, the adolescent period is a transition period of an individual from childhood to adulthood, accompanied by biological, psychological, and social changes, and the term adolescent pregnancy is used to refer to the pregnancy of girls aged 10-19 years. Adolescent pregnancies still draw attention as an important public health problem throughout the world. There are many social and personal risk factors playing role in pregnancy development of individuals of adolescent age. These pregnancies are risky pregnancies which may lead to negative results on maternal and infant health in short- and long-term. Providing the adolescents with educational information on sexual and psychosocial development, safe sexuality, and safe behaviors plays significant role in the prevention of adolescent pregnancies. In addition, providing a proper and adequate follow-up for adolescent pregnancies and giving educational information to the pregnant on the health of her own and her infant are also beneficial for preventing the negative influences of adolescent pregnancies on maternal and infant health.

Keywords: Adolescent, Pregnancy