[Challenges in the approach to adolescents: confidentiality and contraceptive orientation]

OBJECTIVE: The article has the purpose of presenting some questions related to professional ethics and juridical aspects of the approach to sexuality in adolescence, as well as of offering a practical review of the approach and contraceptive methods used by adolescents.METHODS: The bibliographic review encloses national and international literature, as well as juridical orientation in specific questions related to Child and Adolescent Statute and Brazilian Penal Code.RESULTS: Among the aspects of the approach to adolescents, confidentiality is distinguished as one of the most important strategies, mainly when the topic is associated to questions related to sexuality. In Brazil, although adolescents have been contributing in an effective way to the increase in the fecundity rate, there is, legally speaking, a hiatus concerning the guarantee of the rights of adolescents and professionals in exercise of contraceptive practice.CONCLUSIONS: The challenge for the health professionals, particularly the pediatricians who deal with adolescents, is to collaborate on the consolidation of rules which regulate the orientation in reproductive health for adolescents, once Brazilian Penal Code is anachronous concerning the reality of sexual behavior and its possible consequences.