Reducing the risks in pregnant teens who are very young and those with mild mental retardation.

A 3-year evaluation of The Children and Adolescent Pregnancy Project suggests that adolescents with mental retardation may be at increased risk for early pregnancy and dropping out of school. The Pregnancy Project is a school-based intervention that primarily serves black and Hispanic pregnant teens with mild to moderate mental retardation and elementary school-age pregnant teens in the same program. Outcome data were presented in terms of four common indicators of teen pregnancy programs: low birth weight, infant mortality, school drop out, and repeat pregnancy rates. Results indicate that serving pregnant adolescents with mild to moderate mental retardation (ages 11 to 19) in the same program with very young pregnant teens (ages 11 to 15) is an effective and developmentally appropriate means of reducing risks.