Ethical and legal issues in adolescent pregnancy.

A review of the health consequences of adolescent pregnancy indicates that pregnancy in adolescents has a higher mortality rate than that of legal abortions. The rights of minors to give consent to medical care is expressed in the mature minor doctrine and has been extended, with some limitations, to the abortion decision. Efforts to persuade adolescent patients that they should involve their parents in their medical care may be very beneficial; however, when this cannot be achieved, the adolescent should receive confidential medical care, with the adult professional assuming a protective role.