Which of the following is a medical concern in adolescent pregnancies?

Which of the following is a medical concern in adolescent pregnancies?

• A. Anemia
• B. Fetal obesity
• C. Pregnancy-induced diabetes
• D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Answer: (A)

Iron-deficiency anemia stands out as a common medical concern in adolescent pregnancy because teens often have marginal iron stores and the demands of pregnancy greatly increase iron needs. This combination makes anemia frequent in pregnant teens. It can cause fatigue and tachycardia in the mother and is linked to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight if not addressed. Routine screening and iron supplementation with dietary counseling are key parts of prenatal care for adolescents. The other options are less characteristic as standalone adolescent pregnancy concerns. Fetal obesity isn’t a standard maternal complication on its own; macrosomia is more tied to maternal diabetes or obesity. Gestational diabetes tends to be less common in teens than in older or higher-risk individuals, though it can occur. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a real risk in teen pregnancy, but anemia is the more consistently observed and addressable issue in this population.

Iron-deficiency anemia stands out as a common medical concern in adolescent pregnancy because teens often have marginal iron stores and the demands of pregnancy greatly increase iron needs. This combination makes anemia frequent in pregnant teens. It can cause fatigue and tachycardia in the mother and is linked to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight if not addressed. Routine screening and iron supplementation with dietary counseling are key parts of prenatal care for adolescents.

The other options are less characteristic as standalone adolescent pregnancy concerns. Fetal obesity isn’t a standard maternal complication on its own; macrosomia is more tied to maternal diabetes or obesity. Gestational diabetes tends to be less common in teens than in older or higher-risk individuals, though it can occur. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a real risk in teen pregnancy, but anemia is the more consistently observed and addressable issue in this population.