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Abstract
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Purpose: To evaluate 3 years' experience with abused pregnant adolescents identified in a prenatal clinic population.
Methods: Universal screening of all pregnant patients for relationship violence has been performed at the Prenatal Clinic of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania since April 1994. Chart review of all adolescent patients younger than the age of 18 years enrolled at our prenatal clinic between July 1995 and June 1998 was carried out to determine the current and lifetime exposure to interpersonal violence. All patients in the clinic population are low income; 90% are African American. We compared abused versus nonabused teens regarding number of antepartum clinic visits, incidence of trauma during pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease diagnosis during pregnancy, age of baby's father, gestational age at time of delivery, birth weight, and attendance at the postpartum clinic appointment.
Results: Lifetime incidence of interpersonal violence for pregnant adolescents at our center was 30%. Overall, 11% gave a history of relationship violence in the year preceding or during the pregnancy. Significant differences between abused and nonabused teens include: abused pregnant adolescents had more antepartum visits (11.0 versus 8.85), were more likely to present to the hospital for trauma visits during pregnancy (25% versus 5%), and were more likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease during pregnancy (71% versus 43%).
Conclusions: Abuse of pregnant adolescents is common and has serious medical implications. Identification of abuse during pregnancy can positively affect outcomes on several levels for both mother and baby. |