The reality

Global context

Adolescent pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty. Worldwide, one in five girls has given birth by the age of 18. In the poorest regions of the world, this figure rises to over one in three girls.

• ·         About 16 million adolescent girls give birth every year – most in low- and middle-income countries.
• ·     An estimated three million girls aged 15-19 undergo unsafe abortions every year.
• ·         In low- and middle-income countries, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years.
• ·         Stillbirths and newborn deaths are 50% higher among infants of adolescent mothers than among infants of women aged 20-29 years.
• ·         Infants of adolescent mothers are more likely to have low birth weight.

Justo to think about teen pregnancy

A messange to health care professionals: teen pregnancy