Medical Abortions in Adolescents: Should Pediatricians Perform Them?

This chapter discusses medical abortion as an alternative to surgical abortion, as well as its safety, efficacy, and availability to adolescent patients. Medical abortion is viewed by many patients as a less traumatic and more private way to achieve pregnancy termination, and the issues of privacy and confidentiality are even more emphasized with adolescents. The author presents medical abortion methods currently approved in the U.S., discusses the attitudes and preferences of adolescent vs. adult patients, and argues that, assuming proper training and patient selection, this method of abortion can be safely and effectively administered by pediatricians caring for their adolescent patients.