Care of adolescent parents and their children

Adolescent parents and their children represent populations at increased risk for medical, psychologic, and social problems. The scope of the problem of adolescent pregnancy and the attendant obstetric/perinatal complications are summarized in the American Academy of Pediatrics' paper, 'Adolescent Pregnancy'. Despite a decline in the rate of births to adolescents, the absolute number remains relatively constant because of the increase in adolescent girls. The number of children living with teenage mothers, therefore, remains significant. The health, psychosocial, and educational risks for children of young parents and the role of the pediatrician in prevention or early intervention to reduce those risks will be emphasized.