Nutrition and Food Sciences

Adolescent pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem that occurs in high, middle and low income countries. Around the world, teenage pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalized communities, generally driven by poverty and lack of education and job opportunities.

Teenage pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality and to the intergenerational cycles of poor health and poverty. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide; with low and middle-income countries accounting for 99% of global maternal deaths among women aged 15 to 49. Early motherhood can increase the risks for newborns and young mothers. In low and middle income countries, babies born to mothers under the age of 20 are at higher risk for low birth weight, preterm delivery and serious neonatal conditions.