Pediatric clinics of North America
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The United States must improve its efforts to reduce teen pregnancy. We occupy an alarming position in the developed world from the standpoint of the magnitude of the pregnancy issue. While our society promotes sexuality to sell all sorts of consumer goods, it still refuses for the most part to make contraceptives familiar and available to sexually active teens. ⋯ Their children will have limited futures. Only by stepping up our efforts to prevent early pregnancy will we make possible a life of opportunity and choice for the young people of our country. Consequences will be costly and tragic if we do not.
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Acute and chronic pelvic pain in the adolescent patient needs to be taken seriously. In most cases, an underlying cause can be identified. Under no circumstances should the label of psychogenic pain be offered on these teenagers without a prior negative laparoscopy. Adequate diagnosis and early therapy are essential to improve the quality of life and preserve the reproductive prognosis in these young patients.