International Pediatrics
Volume 3, Issue 1, 1988, Pages 48-53

Adolescent pregnancy in Indochinese refugees in the USA (Article)

Felice M.E. , Shragg G.P. , James M. , Hollingsworth D.R.
  • a Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
  • b Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
  • c Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
  • d Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103, United States

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to alert clinicians about medical and psychosocial problems of Indochinese refugee pregnant adolescents in USA. From August, 1978 to September, 1984, 10 Indochinese pregnant adolescents were followed at the UCSD Teen Obstetric Clinic. The mean chronological age was 16.6 years (SD 0.97); mean age at menarche was 13.8 years (SD 1.03); and the mean gynecological age was 2.8 years (SD 0.79). The mean pregnancy weigth was 98.4 lbs (SD 14.3), the mean pre-pregnancy heigth was 54 inches (SD 2.2). Six of the ten young women were anemic (hematocrit less than 35%). Six had tuberculin conversion, two were rubella seronegative and two had euthyroid goiters. The mean weight gain 19.3 lbs. (SD 10.2), and the mean birth weight of singlet births 2909 grams (SD 567) with a mean gestational age of 39 weeks (SD 0.5) by Dubowitz criteria. The fathers of the babies were considerably older, 23.8 y (SD 3.4), than were the teen mothers, 16.6 y (SD 0.97). Two couples were married at conception; five of the eight families of unmarried couples responded with anger and shame at the pregnancy, sometimes punishing the girl for the pregnancy. In 7 cases, one or both parents were deceased, still living in Southeast Asia or their whereabouts were unknown.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

age body weight Menarche pregnancy clinical article Birth Weight psychosocial environment psychological aspect adolescent pregnancy prognosis complication weight gain human gestational age Adolescent
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0023789959&partnerID=40&md5=650764f7908f2023317089d490f52d5c
ISSN: 08856265
Original Language: English