Layann Al-Saud - Adolescent Parent Issues
One sensitive aspect that pediatricians like Layann Al-Saud from Ontario, Canada, deal with is administering to the needs of adolescent parents. Pediatricians need to recognize that the adolescent parent is herself a patient, as is her unborn child, and both have their own individual health care and needs. Because many adolescent parents come from poverty, it is best that the pediatrician approach her clients in a nonjudgmental fashion.
Studies have shown that almost 13,000 babies are born to adolescent parents in Canada every year. Although that number had dropped in the last decade, the circumstances and potential additional health concerns surrounding the adolescent mother make this type of patient a challenging one for a pediatrician. Adolescent mothers tend to have a higher rate of exposure to substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and repeat pregnancies. Children of adolescent mothers with any of these conditions may have an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or prenatal death. As these children grow, they can be susceptible to speech and language delays and cognitive difficulties.
Layann Al-Saud and other experienced pediatricians know that the treatment of the adolescent mother can have a direct impact on the health of her child. If treated in a caring, nonjudgmental environment, the adolescent mother will be more likely to seek out preventative medical services for herself and her child. It is also essential for these young mothers to receive preparation from their pediatrician for the birth and post-birth process, including instruction about feeding, growth, nutrition, sleep, and immunizations.
Source: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/adolescent-parents
