Public health indicators for cerebral palsy: A European collaborative study of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe network.

BACKGROUND: Public health indicators (PHIs) play an increasingly important role in health policy decision-making. Although cerebral palsy (CP) is the commonest physical disability in children, its impact at population level has not been systematically measured so far. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to propose six PHIs for CP designed to annually document the extent of CP and effectiveness of perinatal organisation, the burden of this condition, access to health services and preventive health strategies in the post-neonatal period and to report on the latest updated estimations using population-based data routinely collected by European CP registries. METHODS: The study included children with CP born between 2002 and 2011. Harmonised data (number of cases, functional profile, imaging) were extracted from the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) database. Eligibility criteria for analyses were applied separately for each indicator by selecting registries, birth years and CP cases. Current estimates were based on the last 3 birth years, while trends were reported over a 10-year period. All analyses were descriptive. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to examine the stability of the results using various thresholds of percentages of missing values. RESULTS: Analyses were performed on a total of 8621 children with CP from 12 to 17 SCPE registries. A decreasing prevalence of pre/perinatal CP overall, as well as in preterm and full-term-born children, was observed. The burden of the condition was strongly dependent on CP subtype and the presence of associated impairments. Access to brain imaging ranged from 80% to 100% depending on registries. The overall prevalence of post-neonatally acquired CP was approximately 0.8 per 10,000 live births over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based CP registries can provide data that are relevant for generating key outcomes of interest at the population level, thus potentially contributing to improving public health policies for children with disabilities.

European and Australian Cerebral Palsy Surveillance Networks Working Together for Collaborative Research.

AIMS: This study aims to describe and compare goals and methods, characteristics of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to compare prevalence of CP in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR). METHODS: This study compares the objectives of the two networks and their working practices; key documents from both above-mentioned networks were used. Children included in the comparison of the descriptive profile and prevalence measures were born between 1993 and 2009 for Australian data and between 1980 and 2003 for SCPE. RESULTS: SCPE contributed 10,756 cases and ACPR 6,803. There were similar distributions of motor type, severity, and gestational age groups, except for the proportion of the lowest gestational age category (range, 20-27 weeks) which was twice higher in the ACPR (13 vs. 7%). Associated impairment proportions were also similar except for severe vision impairment which was more than twice as high in SCPE as in the ACPR (11 vs. 4%), but most likely due to a subtle difference in definitions. Prevalence rates were comparable at the same time point in the different groups of birth weight, and declined over time, except for the moderately low birth weight in ACPR. CONCLUSION: Two CP networks representing two continents have compared their major characteristics to facilitate the comparison across their study populations. These characteristics proved to be similar with only marginal differences. This gives additional strength to the observation in both networks that CP prevalence is decreasing which is of great importance for families and health care systems.

Severity of Cerebral Palsy-The Impact of Associated Impairments.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes associated impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and its subtypes. METHOD: Children born between 1990 and 2006 recorded in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe common database were studied. An "impairment index" characterized severity of impairments and their combinations. RESULTS: Amongst the 11,015 children analyzed, 56% (n = 5,968) could walk unaided, 54% (4,972) had normal or near-normal intellect (intelligence quotient ≥ 70). Except for ataxic CP, associated impairments were less frequent when walking ability was preserved. The impairment index was low (walking unaided and normal or near-normal intellect) in 30% of cases; 54% (n = 1,637) in unilateral spastic, 24% (n = 79) in ataxic, 18% (n = 913) in bilateral spastic, and 7% (n = 50) in dyskinetic CP. Around 40% had a high impairment index (inability to walk and/or severe intellectual impairment ± additional impairments)-highest in dyskinetic (77%, n = 549) and bilateral spastic CP (54%, n = 2,680). The impairment index varied little in birth weight and gestational age groups. However, significantly fewer cases in the birth weight group ≤ 1,000 g or gestational age group ≤ 27 weeks had a low impairment index compared to the other birth weight and gestational age groups (23 and 24% vs. between 27 and 32%). CONCLUSION: Thirty percent of the children with CP had a low impairment index (they were able to walk unaided and had a normal or near-normal intellect). Severity in CP was strongly associated to subtype, whereas the association was weak with birth weight or gestational age.

Oral antibiotic use and risk of colorectal cancer in the United Kingdom, 1989-2012: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Microbiome dysbiosis predisposes to colorectal cancer (CRC), but a population-based study of oral antibiotic exposure and risk patterns is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between oral antibiotic use and CRC risk. DESIGN: A matched case-control study (incident CRC cases and up to five matched controls) was performed using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from 1989 to 2012. RESULTS: 28 980 CRC cases and 137 077 controls were identified. Oral antibiotic use was associated with CRC risk, but effects differed by anatomical location. Antibiotic use increased the risk of colon cancer in a dose-dependent fashion (ptrend <0.001). The risk was observed after minimal use, and was greatest in the proximal colon and with antibiotics with anti-anaerobic activity. In contrast, an inverse association was detected between antibiotic use and rectal cancers (ptrend=0.003), particularly with length of antibiotic exposure >60 days (adjusted OR (aOR), 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.93) as compared with no antibiotic exposure. Penicillins, particularly ampicillin/amoxicillin increased the risk of colon cancer (aOR=1.09 (1.05 to 1.13)), whereas tetracyclines reduced the risk of rectal cancer (aOR=0.90 (0.84 to 0.97)). Significant interactions were detected between antibiotic use and tumour location (colon vs rectum, pinteraction<0.001; proximal colon versus distal colon, pinteraction=0.019). The antibiotic-cancer association was found for antibiotic exposure occurring >10 years before diagnosis (aOR=1.17 (1.06 to 1.31)). CONCLUSION: Oral antibiotic use is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer but a reduced risk of rectal cancer. This effect heterogeneity may suggest differences in gut microbiota and carcinogenesis mechanisms along the lower intestinal tract.

The impact of medical school assessment on preparedness for practice.

PURPOSE: As assessment is known to drive learning, this paper looks at the relationship between assessment practice across UK medical schools and graduates preparedness for practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It uses data on written and practical assessment at each medical school and the association with students' self-reported preparedness for working as a foundation doctor on graduation, and in particular the preparation related to clinical skills. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A negative correlation (ß= -0.003, p < 0.001) was observed between total duration of written assessment and preparedness, while a positive relationship (ß = 0.461, p < 0.001) was seen between "adequately prepared" and the proportion of all assessment time focusing on practical skills. This suggests that graduates from medical schools with a greater emphasis on practical skills in their assessment plan are better prepared to practice as a junior doctor on gradation; something that may be of relevance when designing a national licensing examination.

Decreasing prevalence in cerebral palsy: a multi-site European population-based study, 1980 to 2003.

AIM: To monitor the trends in prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) by birthweight in Europe, 1980 to 2003. METHOD: Data were collated from 20 population-based registers contributing to the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe database. Trend analyses were conducted in four birthweight groups: <1000g (extremely low birthweight [ELBW]); 1000 to 1499g (very low birthweight [VLBW]); 1500 to 2499g (moderately low birthweight [MLBW]); and >2499g (normal birthweight [NBW]). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CP decreased from 1.90 to 1.77 per 1000 live births, p<0.001, with a mean annual fall of 0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.3% to -1.0%). Prevalence in NBW children showed a non-significant trend from 1.17 to 0.89 per 1000 live births (p=0.22). Prevalence in MLBW children decreased from 8.5 to 6.2 per 1000 live births (p<0.001), but not linearly. Prevalence in VLBW children also declined from 70.9 to 35.9 per 1000 live births (p<0.001) with a mean annual fall of 3.4% (95% CI -2.4% to -4.3%). Prevalence in ELBW children remained stable, at a mean rate of 42.4 per 1000 live births. INTERPRETATION: The decline in prevalence of CP in children of VLBW continues, and confirms that previously reported. For the first time, there is also a significant decline among those of MLBW, resulting in a significant overall decrease in the prevalence of CP.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the UK: geographic and temporal trends in incidence reflecting differences in degree of deprivation in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a common childhood precursor to osteoarthritis of the hip. This study was undertaken to analyze the incidence of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the UK, with respect to geographic and temporal trends over a 19-year period. METHODS: The General Practice Research database was analyzed to identify incident cases between 1990 and 2008 in children ages 0-14 years. Incidence rates were calculated by year and by region (National Health Service Strategic Health Authority regions in England, and Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), and the association with regional markers of deprivation examined. RESULTS: Over the 19-year period there was a dramatic decline in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease incidence, with annual rates among children 0-14 years old declining from 12.2 per 100,000 to 5.7 per 100,000 (P < 0.001). There was also marked geographic variation, with incidence rates in Scotland more than twice those in London (10.39 [95% confidence interval 8.05-13.2] versus 4.6 [95% confidence interval 3.4-6.1] per 100,000 0-14-year-olds). A more rapid decline in incidence was apparent in the Northern regions compared to Southern regions. The quintile with the highest degree of deprivation had the highest disease incidence (rate ratio 1.49 [95% confidence interval 1.10-2.04]) and, with the exception of London, regional incidence showed a strong linear relationship with regional deprivation score (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the UK has a strong North-South divide, with a greater disease incidence within the Northern regions of the UK. There was a marked decline in incidence over the study period, which was more marked in Northern areas. The declining incidence, along with the geographic variation, suggests that a major etiologic determinant in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is environmental and closely linked to childhood deprivation.

Racial and geographic factors in the incidence of Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease: a systematic review.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (Perthes' disease) is a childhood osteonecrosis of the hip for which the disease determinants are poorly understood. In this review, the authors identify studies of Perthes' disease incidence published up to December 2010 and make denominator populations comparable in order to allow meaningful between-study evaluation. Incidence rates and confidence intervals were determined, and, where appropriate, denominator populations were obtained from national statistical offices. Poisson regression was used to determine the influence of race and geography. The review included 21 studies that described 27 populations in 16 countries, with 124 million person-years of observation. The annual incidence among children under age 15 years ranged from 0.2 per 100,000 to 19.1 per 100,000. Race was a key determinant, with East Asians being least affected and whites most affected, though data were insufficient to consider incidence among blacks (for South Asians vs. East Asians, incidence rate ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4, 3.5; for whites vs. East Asians, incidence rate ratio = 8.8, 95% CI: 8.2, 9.6). Latitude was a strong predictor of disease, even after adjustment for race. Each 10° increase in latitude was associated with an incidence increase of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.30, 1.58) times. While much of the international variation appears to be a function of race, latitude demonstrates a strong association. This observation may offer new epidemiologic insights into the determinants of Perthes' disease.

Decreasing cerebral palsy prevalence in multiple births in the modern era: a population cohort study of European data.

Multiple births (twins or higher order multiples) are increasing in developed countries and may present higher risk for cerebral palsy (CP). However, few studies can reliably investigate trends over time because these outcomes are relatively rare. OBJECTIVE: We pooled data from European CP registers to investigate CP birth prevalence and its trends among single and multiple births born between 1990 and 2008. DESIGN: Population cohort study. SETTING: 12 population-based registers from the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe collaboration. PARTICIPANTS: 4 446 125 single and multiple live births, of whom 8416 (0.19%) had CP of prenatal or perinatal origin. MAIN OUTCOMES: CP diagnosis ascertained in childhood using harmonised methods; CP subtype; Motor impairment severity among CP cases. RESULTS: The rate of multiple births increased from 1990. Multiples displayed higher risk for CP (RR=4.27, 95% CI 4.00 to 4.57). For singletons and multiples alike, risk for CP was higher among births of lower gestational age (GA) or birth weight (BW). However, CP birth prevalence declined significantly among very preterm (<32 weeks) and very low BW (<1500 g) multiples. Singletons and multiples with CP displayed similar severity of motor impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1990 and 2008, CP birth prevalence decreased steadily among multiples with low GA or BW. Furthermore, multiples with CP display similar profiles of severe motor impairment compared with CP singletons. Improvements in management of preterm birth since the 1990s may also have been responsible for providing better prospects for multiples.

Trends in Prevalence and Severity of Pre/Perinatal Cerebral Palsy Among Children Born Preterm From 2004 to 2010: A SCPE Collaboration Study.

Aim: To report on prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP), severity rates, and types of brain lesions in children born preterm 2004 to 2010 by gestational age groups. Methods: Data from 12 population-based registries of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe network were used. Children with CP were eligible if they were born preterm (<37 weeks of gestational age) between 2004 and 2010, and were at least 4 years at time of registration. Severity was assessed using the impairment index. The findings of postnatal brain imaging were classified according to the predominant pathogenic pattern. Prevalences were estimated per 1,000 live births with exact 95% confidence intervals within each stratum of gestational age: ≤27, 28-31, 32-36 weeks. Time trends of both overall prevalence and prevalence of severe CP were investigated using multilevel negative binomial regression models. Results: The sample comprised 2,273 children. 25.8% were born from multiple pregnancies. About 2-thirds had a bilateral spastic CP. 43.5% of children born ≤27 weeks had a high impairment index compared to 37.0 and 38.5% in the two other groups. Overall prevalence significantly decreased (incidence rate ratio per year: 0.96 [0.92-1.00[) in children born 32-36 weeks. We showed a decrease until 2009 for children born 28-31 weeks but an increase in 2010 again, and a steady prevalence (incidence rate ratio per year = 0.97 [0.92-1.02] for those born ≤27 weeks. The prevalence of the most severely affected children with CP revealed a similar but not significant trend to the overall prevalence in the corresponding GA groups. Predominant white matter injuries were more frequent in children born <32 weeks: 81.5% (≤27 weeks) and 86.4% (28-31 weeks), compared to 63.6% for children born 32-36 weeks. Conclusion: Prevalence of CP in preterm born children continues to decrease in Europe excepting the extremely immature children, with the most severely affected children showing a similar trend.

Socio-economic inequalities in cerebral palsy prevalence in the United Kingdom: a register-based study.

Evidence is unclear as to whether there is a socio-economic gradient in cerebral palsy (CP) prevalence beyond what would be expected from the socio-economic gradient for low birthweight, a strong risk factor for CP. We conducted a population-based study in five regions of the UK with CP registers, to investigate the relationship between CP prevalence and socio-economic deprivation, and how it varies by region, by birthweight and by severity and type of CP. The total study population was 1 657 569 livebirths, born between 1984 and 1997. Wards of residence were classified into five quintiles according to a census-based deprivation index, from Q1 (least deprived) to Q5 (most deprived). Socio-economic gradients were modelled by Poisson regression, and region-specific estimates combined by meta-analysis. The prevalence of postneonatally acquired CP was 0.14 per 1000 livebirths overall. The mean deprivation gradient, expressed as the relative risk in the most deprived vs. the least deprived quintile, was 1.86 (95% confidence interval [95% CI 1.19, 2.88]). The prevalence of non-acquired CP was 2.22 per 1000 livebirths. For non-acquired CP the gradient was 1.16 [95% CI 1.00, 1.35]. Evidence for a socio-economic gradient was strongest for spastic bilateral cases (1.32 [95% CI 1.09, 1.59]) and cases with severe intellectual impairment (1.59 [95% CI 1.06, 2.39]). There was evidence for differences in gradient between regions. The gradient of risk of CP among normal birthweight births was not statistically significant overall (1.21 [95% CI 0.95, 1.54]), but was significant in two regions. There was non-significant evidence of a reduction in gradients over time. The reduction of the higher rates of postneonatally acquired CP in the more socioeconomically deprived areas is a clear goal for prevention. While we found evidence for a socio-economic gradient for non-acquired CP of antenatal or perinatal origin, the picture was not consistent across regions, and there was some evidence of a decline in inequalities over time. The steeper gradients in some regions for normal birthweight cases and cases with severe intellectual impairment require further investigation.

Oromotor dysfunction and communication impairments in children with cerebral palsy: a register study.

AIM: to report the prevalence, clinical associations, and trends over time of oromotor dysfunction and communication impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: multiple sources of ascertainment were used and children followed up with a standardized assessment including motor speech problems, swallowing/chewing difficulties, excessive drooling, and communication impairments at age 5 years. RESULTS: a total of 1357 children born between 1980 and 2001 were studied (781 males, 576 females; median age 5y 11mo, interquartile range 3-9y; unilateral spastic CP, n=447; bilateral spastic CP, n=496; other, n=112; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level: I, 181; II, 563; III, 123; IV, 82; IV, 276). Of those with 'early-onset' CP (n=1268), 36% had motor speech problems, 21% had swallowing/chewing difficulties, 22% had excessive drooling, and 42% had communication impairments (excluding articulation defects). All impairments were significantly related to poorer gross motor function and intellectual impairment. In addition, motor speech problems were related to clinical subtype; swallowing/chewing problems and communication impairments to early mortality; and communication impairments to the presence of seizures. Of those with CP in GMFCS levels IV to V, a significant proportion showed a decline in the rate of motor speech impairment (p=0.008) and excessive drooling (p=0.009) over time. INTERPRETATION: these impairments are common in children with CP and are associated with poorer gross motor function and intellectual impairment.

Trends in cerebral palsy among infants of very low birthweight (<1500 g) or born prematurely (<32 weeks) in 16 European centres: a database study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of cerebral palsy, the commonest physical disability of children in western Europe, is higher in infants of very low birthweight (VLBW)--those born weighing less than 1500 g--and those from multiple pregnancies than in infants of normal birthweight. An increasing proportion of infants from both of these groups survive into childhood. This paper describes changes in the frequency and distribution of cerebral palsy by sex and neurological subtype in infants with a birthweight below 1000 g and 1000-1499 g in the period 1980-96. METHODS: A group of 16 European centres, Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe, agreed a standard definition of cerebral palsy and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data for children with cerebral palsy born in the years 1980-96 were pooled. The data were analysed to describe the distribution and prevalence of cerebral palsy in VLBW infants. Prevalence trends were expressed as both per 1000 livebirths and per 1000 neonatal survivors. FINDINGS: There were 1575 VLBW infants born with cerebral palsy; 414 (26%) were of birthweight less than 1000 g and 317 (20%) were from multiple pregnancies. 1426 (94%) had spastic cerebral palsy, which was unilateral (hemiplegic) in 336 (24%). The birth prevalence fell from 60.6 (99%CI 37.8-91.4) per 1000 liveborn VLBW infants in 1980 to 39.5 (28.6-53.0) per 1000 VLBW infants in 1996. This decline was related to a reduction in the frequency of bilateral spastic cerebral palsy among infants of birthweight 1000-1499 g. The frequency of cerebral palsy was higher in male than female babies in the group of birthweight 1000-1499 g (61.0 [53.8-68..2] vs 49.5 [42.8-56.2] per 1000 livebirths; p=0.0025) but not in the group of birthweight below 1000 g. INTERPRETATION: These data from a large population base provide evidence that the prevalence of cerebral palsy in children of birthweight less than 1500 g has fallen, which has important implications for parents, health services, and society.

Vanishing twin: a possible cause of cerebral impairment.

Fetal death in a twin conception during second and third trimester is associated with increased risk of cerebral injury in the surviving twin. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that even early fetal losses as a 'vanishing' twin may be associated with an increased risk of cerebral impairment in the surviving twin. The study population comprised 362 pregnant women attending Liverpool Women's Hospital recruited between 1999 and 2001. Women were classified according to the first ultrasound scan into 3 groups: vanishing twin, twin and singleton. The vanishing twin group was further subdivided into 'definite' and 'probable'. Children from these pregnancies were assessed at 1 year of age for their development and neurological function using the Griffiths Mental and Developmental Scales and Optimality score. Children from 229 pregnancies (63.2%) attended the assessment. Information on children from a further 21 (5.8%) pregnancies was obtained through a review of hospital records. Cerebral impairment was found in 2 children from the vanishing twin group, 2 from the twin group and none from the singleton group. When cases with definite vanishing twin are considered there is a significant difference between the vanishing twin and singleton group (relative risk 6.1; 95% confidence interval 1.5-8.3; p = .03). An additional study with an increased sample size would enable a more robust conclusion.

Comparative development of surviving co-twins of vanishing twin conceptions, twins and singletons.

Early loss of one fetus in a multiple gestation as a 'vanishing' twin is a well recognized phenomenon. It is uncertain whether this has an impact on the development of the surviving co-twin. The aim of this study is to compare the development of singletons, twins and the surviving co-twins of a vanishing twin. The 324 children born to 229 women who were recruited into the study between 1999 and 2001 formed the study population. Children were assessed at 1 year of age with Griffiths Mental and Developmental Scales. A neurological examination was performed using an optimality score to exclude those with severe neurodisability. Three hundred and five children (92 singletons, 180 twins and 33 survivors with a vanishing twin) were included. The sub- and general quotient scores in singletons and surviving co-twins of a vanishing twin did not differ significantly. Twins had significantly lower scores than singletons in all areas of development and were more likely to be born early with lower birthweights. Following adjustment for gestation and birthweight, the difference between the two groups was nullified suggesting that the slower development of twins is related to their prematurity and lower birthweight.

Developing a new empathy-specific admissions test for applicants to medical schools: A discourse-pragmatic approach.

The ability to empathise with patients is an important professional skill for doctors. Medical students practise this skill as part of their medical education, and are tested on their use of empathy within their final examination. Evidence shows that appropriate training makes a difference but that natural aptitude also plays a role. Most medical schools, therefore, probe applicants' basic understanding of empathy at admissions interviews. The purpose of the project presented in this paper was to apply existing understanding of how empathy may be communicated in a clinical context (building on a literature review by Pounds [2011]) to develop a new empathy-specific medical admissions interview station, probing applicants' empathic communicative performance (not just theoretical knowledge) and fitting the widely used Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. The paper outlines how this tool was developed, trialled and implemented by: (1) conceptualising empathic communication in discourse-pragmatic terms - that is, as a set of specific but context-dependant empathic speech acts; and (2) formulating and trialling a written and two oral versions of a situational test, capable of probing the applicants' ability to communicate empathically in everyday conversation and suitable for use at Norwich Medical School and other similar educational institutions.

Cerebral palsy and intrauterine growth in single births: European collaborative study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy seems to be more common in term babies whose birthweight is low for their gestational age at delivery, but past analyses have been hampered by small datasets and Z-score calculation methods. METHODS: We compared data from ten European registers for 4503 singleton children with cerebral palsy born between 1976 and 1990 with the number of births in each study population. Weight and gestation of these children were compared with reference standards for the normal spread of gestation and weight-for-gestational age at birth. FINDINGS: Babies of 32-42 weeks' gestation with a birthweight for gestational age below the 10th percentile (using fetal growth standards) were 4-6 times more likely to have cerebral palsy than were children in a reference band between the 25th and 75th percentiles. In children with a weight above the 97th percentile, the increased risk was smaller (from 1.6 to 3.1), but still significant. Those with a birthweight about 1 SD above average always had the lowest risk of cerebral palsy. A similar pattern was seen in those with unilateral or bilateral spasticity, as in those with a dyskinetic or ataxic disability. In babies of less than 32 weeks' gestation, the relation between weight and risk was less clear. INTERPRETATION: The risk of cerebral palsy, like the risk of perinatal death, is lowest in babies who are of above average weight-for-gestation at birth, but risk rises when weight is well above normal as well as when it is well below normal. Whether deviant growth is the cause or a consequence of the disability remains to be determined.

Previous Pregnancies Among Young Women Having an Abortion in England and Wales.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use national statistics on abortions carried out in England and Wales to more precisely estimate the proportion of young women aged <20 years obtaining an abortion who have had one or more previous pregnancies. METHODS: Secondary analysis of abortion data from the Office of National Statistic and the Department of Health by parity for women aged <20 years, ordinarily residing in England and Wales, from 1992 to 2013. RESULTS: Over the past 20 years, the proportion of teenagers in England and Wales having an abortion as a result of a subsequent pregnancy increased by 33% (from .172 in 1992 to .229 in 2013). Most of this increase occurred before 2004, and the proportion now appears to have stabilized. In 2013, 22.9% of the young women aged <20 years who underwent an abortion had had at least one previous pregnancy (either a birth or an abortion). Only a minority (<5% of young women who obtained an abortion) had had more than one previous pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that nearly one in four teenagers presenting for an abortion have already been in contact with health services for a previous birth or abortion. Greater policy emphasis must be placed on the accurate identification of the proportion of teenage pregnancies that occur as a result of a subsequent pregnancy and developing more effective "secondary prevention" interventions to help the first-time pregnant and parenting teenagers manage their future reproductive lives and prevent further unplanned pregnancies.