Healthcare - Health Tips - Children and Teens

by Capt. Peaches Ann Richards, Pediatric Department
Madigan Army Medical Center, Wash.

A million teenagers in the United States become pregnant each year. More than 90 percent of teenage pregnancies are unintended. Half of these pregnancies occur within the first six months of initial sexual intercourse. About one-fourth of youths report first intercourse by 15 years of age.

Nearly two-thirds of adolescent mothers have partners older than 20 years of age. Sexually active teenagers are not only at risk for teen pregnancy, but are also at risk for sexually transmitted diseases as well as the long-term consequences associated with both of these risks.

Medical complications are more frequent in pregnant adolescents. Low birth weight is more than double the rate for adults and the neonatal death rate is almost three times higher. The mortality rate for the mother is twice that of the adult pregnant woman. Other medical problems include poor maternal weight gain, premature delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, anemia and sexually transmitted diseases.

There are social complications of adolescent pregnancy as well. These problems include school interruption, persistent poverty, limited job opportunities, separation from the child's father, divorce and repeat pregnancy. At least one-third of adolescents who become parents are themselves products of teenage pregnancies. About 15 percent of teenage births are not first births.

Children of teenage parents are at increased risk of developmental delay, academic difficulties, behavioral disorders, drug abuse, being abused (especially if the child is sick) and becoming adolescent parents themselves.

Three million teenagers are infected with sexually transmitted diseases each year. More than 25 diseases are transmitted sexually. Adolescents are more affected by STDs and their complications. Reducing STDs decreases the risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission.

Statistics show that teenagers are more likely to have unprotected sex and to have a large number of sexual partners. Sexually active teenagers are more likely to be involved with high-risk partners or participate in high-risk activities such as anal sex.

Also, many adolescents are not aware that oral sex and mutual masturbation can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Many teens have no idea that they have STDs, so it is very important if they are sexually active and have never had a physical exam that they do so.

Sexual activity is most likely during times of least supervision, the hours after school and before parents return from work.

What can parents do to help prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases? Here are some suggestions:

• Talk to your children early and often about sex, your sexual values and attitudes. Talking with your children about sex does NOT encourage them to become sexually active. Tell them what you think, ask them what they think, and answer their questions candidly. Take this opportunity to dispel any misconceptions.
• Supervise and monitor your children as much as possible. Know your children's friends and their families. Encourage supervised activities, such as intramural sports.
• Talk to your children about risky behavior and help them avoid all risky behaviors. This includes abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, drugs and sexual activity.
• Discourage early, frequent and steady dating. Discourage your daughter from dating a boy significantly older than she is and your son from dating a girl much younger than he is.
• Be attentive to your children, and encourage school and long-term career goals. Give them options for the future that are more attractive than early pregnancy and parenthood.

Resources for parents:

• National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• American Social Health Association —preventing STDs
• Campaign for Our Children —parent-child communication
• Family Health Council —family communication, teen pregnancy, STDs
• Advocates for Youth —teen sexual health, sex education, parent-child communication
• Planned Parenthood —teen health information
• Talk with Your Kids —HIV/AIDS, sex and sexuality, violence, drugs and alcohol
• National PTA

(Reprinted from the Madigan Army Medical Center, Wash., Mountaineer)

Health Tips from Army Medicine
August 2003