Evolución de la incidencia de test de embarazo positivo en adolescentes atendidas en un servicio de urgencias / Trends in the incidence of positive pregnancy tests in adolescents seen in an emergency department

Introducción: El debate actual acerca del aborto y la edad en la que se considera la madurez suficiente para llevarlo a cabo sin el consentimiento paterno plantea la necesidad de saber la importancia real del embarazo adolescente en Urgencias. Objetivos: a) Determinar la variación de la incidencia de embarazos adolescentes diagnosticados en urgencias los últimos 12 años, y b) determinar las características de las adolescentes y cuál fue la evolución de los embarazos. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo. Se incluye a las adolescentes con una prueba de embarazo positiva en urgencias entre el 1/7/1997 y el 30/6/2009. Se calcula la incidencia anual de embarazos por cada 1.000 visitas de mujeres adolescentes. Se divide el estudio en dos periodos: del 1/7/1997 al 30/6/2003 y del 1/7/2003 al 30/6/2009. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 83 embarazos. La incidencia osciló entre 0,5 y 2,0, observándose una tendencia a aumentar en el segundo periodo. Los motivos de consulta más frecuentes fueron: metrorragia, dolor abdominal y vómitos. Sesenta y dos embarazos fueron evolutivos, 20 abortos y uno ectópico. Se conoce la evolución de 35 de las 62 gestaciones evolutivas, en 19 se llevó a cabo el parto, en 11 se produjo una interrupción voluntaria del embarazo, y en 4 un aborto espontáneo. Conclusiones: La incidencia de embarazos en adolescentes en urgencias es baja, pese a ello se observa una tendencia a incrementarse. Muchos motivos de consulta son inespecíficos constatándose la necesidad de interrogar sobre los hábitos sexuales en todas las adolescentes. Un elevado porcentaje de las gestaciones diagnosticadas no se llevan a término (AU)

Introduction: The current debate on induced abortion and the age when a young woman is considered mature to have this without parental consent, shows the need to know the real importance of adolescent pregnancy in the Emergency Department. Objectives: a) To determine the adolescent pregnancy rate variation in the Emergency Department during last 12years; b) to determine the characteristics of the pregnant adolescent and the outcome of their pregnancies. Material and methods: Retrospective study of pregnant adolescents diagnosed in the Emergency Department between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2009. Pregnancy rates were calculated per 1000 annual female adolescent consultations. Two periods were considered: 1/from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 2003 and 2/from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2009. Results: Eighty-three pregnancies were diagnosed in adolescents. Pregnancy rates varied from 0.5 to 2.0 per 1000 females; an increased trend in adolescent pregnancy rate was observed in the second period. Metrorrhagia, abdominal pain and vomiting were the most frequent complaints. There were 62 on-going pregnancies, 20 abortions and one ectopic pregnancy. Only 35 of the outcomes of the 62 on-going pregnancies were known: 19 ended in live birth, 11 in induced abortion and 4 in stillbirth. Conclusions: The adolescent pregnancy rate is low; nevertheless an increased trend is being observed in the last few years. Many adolescents diagnosed with pregnancy had nonspecific complaints, so it is important to ask about sexual habits in all adolescents. A high percentage of diagnosed pregnancies end in abortion (AU)

[Trends in the incidence of positive pregnancy tests in adolescents seen in an emergency department]. / Evolución de la incidencia de test de embarazo positivo en adolescentes atendidas en un servicio de urgencias.

INTRODUCTION: The current debate on induced abortion and the age when a young woman is considered mature to have this without parental consent, shows the need to know the real importance of adolescent pregnancy in the Emergency Department. OBJECTIVES: a) To determine the adolescent pregnancy rate variation in the Emergency Department during last 12 years; b) to determine the characteristics of the pregnant adolescent and the outcome of their pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of pregnant adolescents diagnosed in the Emergency Department between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2009. Pregnancy rates were calculated per 1000 annual female adolescent consultations. Two periods were considered: 1/from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 2003 and 2/from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2009. RESULTS: Eighty-three pregnancies were diagnosed in adolescents. Pregnancy rates varied from 0.5 to 2.0 per 1000 females; an increased trend in adolescent pregnancy rate was observed in the second period. Metrorrhagia, abdominal pain and vomiting were the most frequent complaints. There were 62 on-going pregnancies, 20 abortions and one ectopic pregnancy. Only 35 of the outcomes of the 62 on-going pregnancies were known: 19 ended in live birth, 11 in induced abortion and 4 in stillbirth. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescent pregnancy rate is low; nevertheless an increased trend is being observed in the last few years. Many adolescents diagnosed with pregnancy had nonspecific complaints, so it is important to ask about sexual habits in all adolescents. A high percentage of diagnosed pregnancies end in abortion.