Teenage pregnancy

The pediatrician's role in teenage pregnancy is multifaceted. The problem is a sociologic phenomenon with medical consequences. The pregnant teenager actually represents three patients: the mother, the baby, and the adolescent herself. Prepregnancy nutrition can be improved through pediatric education and advice. Sex education can be improved through the advocacy of pediatricians, who can discuss postponing parenthood until the end of adolescence with many of their patients. Services to prevent pregnancy can be offered by pediatricians. Unfortunately, in Oklahoma it is illegal to dispense contraceptives to minors without parental consent. Pediatricians should work to gain acceptance of laws modeled after the American Academy of Pediatrics' health care for minors policy. Lastly, support services to promote proper parenthood and establishment of families can be developed with pediatric input. The entire problem must be viewed in the context of current social patterns, an understanding of adolescent development, the significance of peer pressures, and the biological changes that make it possible for children to bear children.