One hundred pregnant adolescents, treatment approaches in a university hospital.

Adolescent Pregnancy: A Challenge for Counselors

“…Anemia, a serious problem in adolescent girls, can be even more serious during pregnancy (Webb, 1976). In a study of 100 pregnant adolescents, 25% had anemia that required replacement therapy (Dickens, Mudd, Garcia, Tomar, & Wright, 1973).…”

Adolescent pregnancy: A review

“…Young et al (1977) found that an interdisciplinary program with early identification and referral networks in the community increased early registration of adolescents for prenatal care. Programs that supply the pregnant adolescent with parent education and counseling services report an increase in the number of antenatal and postpartum visits (Dickens et al, 1973;McAnarney et al, 1978;Young et al, 1977). Open communication and trust are essential elements in a program to overcome the withdrawal or hostility that often characterize the pregnant teenager (Frye & Barham, 1975;Young, 1977).…”

“…When the pregnant adolescent also is provided counseling and personalized care in a prenatal program, adolescent mothers may be more likely to accept future preventative measures and return to school after delivery (Dickens et al, 1973). In a two-year follow-up study, McAnarney et al (1978) compared pregnancy outcomes of adolescents who receive prenatal care in a hospital outpatient clinic, a mental health center, and a specialized adolescent maternity health project that provided intensive psychosocial services, Teenagers who received increased psychosocial input showed a lower rate of repeat pregnancy and increased contraception use; however, the frequency of school attendance after delivery and reliance on public assistance was the same for all groups (McAnarney, 1978).…”

Adolescent Pregnancy

“…Another societal expense is the long-term institutional care required for the significantly greater number of neurologically and physically impaired children born to teenage mothers (Kennedy, 1975). Dickens, Mudd, Garcia, Tomar, and Wright (1973) identify a related social cost when they suggest that "the sister of the unwed mother is particularly vulnerable to behavior similar to that of her pregnant sister" (p. 799). Among the psychological costs experienced by teenage parents are the stress of ill-considered marriages and the increased likelihood of marital problems and divorce (Lorenzi, Klerman, & Jekel, 1977).…”