RESOURCES:Risks of Second Teenage Pregnancy

Research undertaken at Glasgow University concludes that having a second baby is three times more risky for the mothers aged 15 - 19 and their babies than for mothers aged 20 - 29

Researchers Gordon Smith and Jill Pell found that having a second teenage pregnancy was much more dangerous, according to the study, published in the British Medical Journal.
The researchers studied records of infant births and deaths from the years 1992-1998.

Using variables such as age, parity, smoking and living environment, pregnancy complications were compared. The reasons for the results are not known but could have environmental or biological influences.

One in 10 of the teenage pregnancies in this study was a second pregnancy. Women reach puberty earlier and are therefore fertile earlier than previous generations. In the past women were more likely to breastfeed, which can cause lactational amennorhoea and suppress ovulation. The research highlights another aspect of teenage sexual health promotion which is worthy of inclusion in any SRE programme - effects on the health of the baby.

BACK TO RESOURCES INDEX

TOP

Finalist in British Female Inventor of the Year April 2003 Finalist in National Business Awards Entrepreneur Category 2003 A BFIY's Top 10 Woman Inventor and Innovator 2005 Finalist in 2005 E-Commerce ICT Innovators Awards- Health Category (DTI Interforum) Winner of 2006 Exceptional Exporter Award (UKTI, Chamberlink, Salford City Council)