Institutionalized disabled adolescents: gynecologic care. The pediatrician's role

Severely handicapped and institutionalized teenage girls have a variety of gynecologic problems that can be readily addressed by a physician with an interest in adolescent medicine who makes "home visits" to the institutions. Disabled teens are a unique group of adolescents whose needs intersect with those of normal teens. Educating and listening to the caretakers, who can then prepare the patients, is essential. Key topics include menses and menstrual calendars, adolescent development, the pelvic examination, and contraception. The clinical problems most frequently encountered are vaginal discharge, menstrual cycle dysfunction, and oligomenorrhea. Basic on-site management is described. In this population, severe chronic illness and subnormal weights for age are not necessarily associated with secondary amenorrhea. Patients, parents, and staff are satisfied when gynecologic needs are met in an empathetic and thorough fashion. A list of educational resources is appended.