Delay in obstetrical care in newly diagnosed teenage pregnancy. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1991 Dec;30(12):661-3
Date
12/01/1991Pubmed ID
1764873DOI
10.1177/000992289103001202Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0026336034 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 7 CitationsAbstract
A retrospective study of 42 adolescent patients diagnosed as being pregnant between June 1987 and February 1990 at the Downtown Health Center (DHC), an inner city pediatric primary care clinic, was conducted to determine whether patients referred to a hospital-based Teen Pregnancy Clinic (TPC) were seen within a reasonable period of time. The frequency of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was also determined when these women were initially seen at TPC. Only 5 of the 42 patients seen at DHC had a pelvic exam prior to referral. Of the 40 patients seen at TPC, 20% were not seen until four weeks or more after initial diagnosis. Fifty percent had a STD. Pediatricians should recognize that pregnant teenagers may have a significant delay between diagnosis of pregnancy and entry into obstetrical care. Pelvic exam including cultures for STDs is recommended prior to referral.
Author List
Pomeranz AJ, Matson SC, Nelson DBAuthor
Albert J. Pomeranz MD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAmbulatory Care Facilities
Child
Female
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
Pregnancy in Adolescence
Prenatal Care
Retrospective Studies
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Time Factors