Research has shown that babies born to teenage mothers are at higher risk for serious problems and death than a baby born to an older mother. Babies of teenage mothers are more likely to die in the first year of life than babies of older women between the ages of twenty and thirty. The risk is even higher for babies who are born to mothers under the age of 15. In 2004, 17 out of every 1,000 babies of women under age 15 died, compared to 8 per 1,000 for babies of women of all ages. In 2004, 9.9 percent of mothers ages 15 to 19 years had a low-birth weight baby, compared to 8.1 percent for mothers of all ages. Moreover, teen mothers are more likely than mothers over age 20 to give birth prematurely. Between 2002 and 2004, preterm birth rates averaged 14.3 percent for women under age 20 compared to 11.7 percent for women ages 20 to 29. Babies born too soon face an increased risk of newborn health problems, long-term disabilities and even death.
Moreover, teen mothers are more likely than mothers over age 20 to give birth prematurely. Between 2002 and 2004, preterm birth rates averaged 14.3 percent for women under age 20 compared to 11.7 percent for women ages 20 to 29. Babies born too soon face an increased risk of newborn health problems, long-term disabilities and even death.