Evaluation of a clinic for pregnant adolescents

A random retrospective review of the Teen Obstetrical Parenting Perinatal Services (TOPPS) clinic medical records for 1985 to 1989 was completed on 120 adolescent mothers (30 charts for each year). The purpose of this study was to evaluate maternal and infant outcomes related to the goals of the TOPPS clinic located at University Hospital on the UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas. The clinic was cofounded by Lee Lee Doyle, Ph.D., who is now professor of obstetrics/gynecology at UAMS, and Betty Rouse, R.N., M.N.Sc., who is a clinical associate professor at UAMS, College of Nursing. The outcomes measured were nutritional status as measured by maternal weight gain, infant birth weight, gestational age and Apgar scores. Referrals to appropriate agencies during pregnancy were also reviewed. Analysis of the data revealed that 31% of clients received documented nutritional counseling, 60.2% of the babies were healthy (88% term and 87% appropriate for gestational age), and documented referrals (i.e. WIC, AFDC, Medicaid, etc.) were made in 32% of the cases. Conclusions were that both mothers and infants had positive outcomes. Documentation of referrals needs to be improved or rationale stated for non-referral.