Adolescent sexual activity and pregnancy in South Carolina: trends, risks, and practice implications

Using South Carolina vital record data, we examined current trends in teenage pregnancy and the related pregnancy outcome risks for the period 1977 to 1984. A review of the eight-year trends in the pregnancy outcomes of teenaged mothers (less than 18 years old) indicated a significant decline (P less than .05) in the percentage of total South Carolina live infants born to teenaged mothers. While a significant increase in the teenage abortion ratio was detected, the proportion of total South Carolina pregnancies (estimated by the summation of live births, fetal deaths, and induced abortions) among teenagers significantly decreased. Compared to mothers 18 to 34 years old, teenaged mothers were nearly twice as likely to deliver prematurely, while one half as likely to receive adequate prenatal care. Their offspring were at increased risk of low birth weight and had increased fetal and infant death rates. Thirty percent of pregnancies in teenaged mothers were terminated by induced abortion, and 22% of the teenage pregnancies were to mothers aged 15 or younger, emphasizing the importance of not delaying discussions with teens of the issues of adolescent sexuality and contraception.