20 Percent of Teen Births in US are Repeat Births: CDC

Teen pregnancy completely alters the life and future of the mother, infant and the families as well. A latest Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly one in five teen births are repeat births. This remains a fact although there has been a drop in the rate of teen births in the past 20 years.

According to the report, those kids born as a result of repeated pregnancy are more likely to be born either too early, resulting in a premature birth, or are born too small (low birth weight).

"Teen birth rates in the United States have declined to a record low, which is good news," CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H, said in a press statement. "But rates are still far too high. Repeat births can negatively impact the mother's education and job opportunities as well as the health of the next generation."

According to the CDC's National Vital Statistics System data, the frequency of repeated teen births between 2007 and 2010 in the U.S. dropped by more than 6 percent. But this decrease didn't reduce the occurrence of repeat births, and the trend has remained high. They also noticed a significant racial/ethnic and geographic difference.

The American Indian/ Alaska natives had the highest number of repeat teen births with 21.6 percent, followed by Hispanics with 20.9 percent, and non-Hispanic blacks had a repeat teen birth rate of 20.4 percent. The lowest repeat teen births was seen in the non-Hispanic whites, with just 14.8 percent.

Texas has nearly 22 percent of repeat teen births, while New Hampshire had just 10 percent. The data also reveals that nearly 91 percent of sexually active teen mothers used some form of contraception during the postpartum period, and just 22 percent used contraceptives considered to be "most effective".

CDC insists that the parents, caregivers, guardians and health care providers discuss with both male and female teens the importance of avoiding pregnancy by not indulging in sexual activity.