PREOPERATIVE PREGNANCY TESTING IN ADOLESCENTS

Anesthetics and other drugs used during the perioperative period may h ave teratogenic or abortive effects. The pregnancy status of surgical patients is often unknown. This investigation examined retrospectively the results of 2 yr of mandatory pregnancy testing in 412 adolescent surgical patients. The overall incidence of positive tests was 1.2%. F ive of 207 patients aged 15 yr and older tested positive, for an incid ence of 2.4% in that group. None of the 205 patients under the age of 15 yr had a positive pregnancy test. We conclude that mandatory pregna ncy testing is advisable in adolescent surgical patients aged 15 yr an d older.