Underage mothers in Turkey.
BACKGROUND
All individuals under the age of 18 are considered as children by the Convention on the Rights of Children. Underage mothers are a pediatric-age group of children that become pregnant and give birth. It may be unfamiliar in Western countries, but in Middle-Eastern countries ruled by religious laws and old-fashioned traditions, it is common for an older man to marry a girl. The aim of this study was to describe the status of underage mothers within the framework of children's rights and to draw attention to this issue. We presented this study to increase awareness and sensitivity, and to scrutinize and discuss these topics.


METHODS
We retrospectively investigated cases of underaged pregnant girls who applied to Forensic Science Department outpatient clinics and Obstetrics and Gynecology Department outpatient clinics of Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine between 2003 and 2013. Results We accessed records of 163 underage mothers (≤ 18 age). Mean age was 16.9 ± 0.83 (14-18 years). Gravida and parity rates increased proportionately with increasing age. Most of our cases were 16 and 17 years of age (n: 117, 71.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Underage motherhood is not only a medical issue; it is a multi-dimensional problem with social, economic, traditional, religious, and legal aspects.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
Erdal
E
Ozer
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
Mehmet Can
MC
Nacar
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
Ali
A
Yildirim
Department of Family Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
Ozgur
O
Enginyurt
Department of Forensic Medicine, Council of Forensic Medicine Kayseri, Kayseri, Turkey.
Hasan
H
Din
Department of Forensic Medicine, Council of Forensic Medicine Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
Durmus
D
Evcuman
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology