Adolescent pregnancy in Europe.

The International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology surveyed physicians from 11 European countries to ascertain the countries' adolescent pregnancy and abortion rates. Pregnancy rates tended to remain stable or decrease through the 1980s, with some notable exceptions. Germany, Federal Republic exhibited the highest adolescent pregnancy rates; the rate increased from 16% to 21% among 16- to 18-year-olds from 1985 to 1987, and then decreased to 13% by 1989. The United Kingdom had the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy, although in the 16- to 18-year-old group, the rate decreased from 9.1% in 1985 to 8.6% by 1989. The Netherlands and Denmark had the lowest adolescent pregnancy rates, with a cumulative total of 0.9% in both countries for adolescents under age 18 years in 1985 and 1987; data for 1989 were not available at the time of the survey. Abortion rates among adolescents--expressed as a percentage of the total number of abortions performed in each country--increased in most countries during the 1980s. By 1989, Hungary and Finland had the highest abortion rates, 11% and 9.5%, respectively. Belgium had the lowest rate; only 1% of abortions performed were in women aged 18 years and younger. Most of the countries included in this survey require parental consent for termination of pregnancy. Although the medical complications of pregnancy and birth in adolescents can be minimized with good management and follow-up, the social and psychological implications continue to take a toll. Sex-education programs are one means of reducing the rate of adolescent pregnancy. For adolescents who do become pregnant, however, psychological and social support must be provided in addition to medical care.