Pregnancy outcome for adolescents receiving prenatal care by nurse practitioners in extended roles

The outcome of teenage pregnancy when managed in a specialized antenatal program resembles the patterns associated with young adults rather than the outcomes of teenagers in a general clinic. Based on a recent University of California study, this seems to result from three major factors: early prenatal care, nursing management in primary care, and special and consistent emphasis on adequate nutrition. Outcomes were significantly enhanced regarding infant weight and gestational age scoring, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, fewer intensive care admissions, and shorter hospital stays when compared to the general clinic experience.