Adolescent Gynaecology Flashcards
Define Gillick Competence?
Child <16yrs is able to give/withhold consent if the doctor feels theu fully understands an intervention and it’s risks
It can be overridden by parents in some circumstances
Define Fraser Competence?
Refers specficially to giving contraceptive advice/prescription to under 16s:
- Mature enough to understand advice and implications of treatment
- Likely to continue/begin sex regardless of treatment
- GP has tried to persuade to tell parents (or let you tell them)
- Health would suffer without treatment/advice
- In their best interest
At what age do you investigate Primary Amenorrhoea as abnormal?
Failure of menstruation by the age of 16 years in the presence of normal secondary sexual characteristics, or 14 years in the absence of other evidence of puberty
What tests can you do for primary amenorrhoea?
FSH, LH, PRL, TSH and oestrogen
Pelvic USS
Progesterone withdrawal bleed (confirms she has uterus, pregnancy or lack of oestrogen)
How do you induce puberty?
Gradually build up Oestrogen
Add progesterone once max height potential reached (and on atleast 20mg of oestrogen)
Causes for secondary amenorrhoea in adolescents?
- Weight (anorexia)
- PCOS
- Pregnancy
- Fluctuating LH/oestrogens (i.e. due to stress)
What bleeding disorders are common in adolescence?
Amenorrhoea (common periodically for first 2 years)
Pregnancy
Coagulation disorders e.g. Von Willebrands, leukaemia
Who gets vulvovaginitis and why?
Peak age 3-7yr olds
Often due to infection or labial agglutination (adhesion of labia minora in midline)
How do you manage labial agglutination?
- Hygiene
- Lubrication
- Topical Oestrogen
- Surgical separation (rarely)
How do you manage infection in vulvovaginitis?
- Culture (E. Coli, Proteus, Pseudomonas)
- Urinalysis (rules out cystitis)
- Hygiene
- Perianal exam with tape for pinworms
- Exam US if persistant discharge to rule out foreign body
Also always remember to test teens for!
Chlamydia!
What physical changes are seen during puberty?
- Growth accelerates
- Secondary sexual characteristics appear
- Initial increase in secretion of LH from pituitary gland (due to increase of GnRH from hypothalamus) –> rise in oestradiol levels
How do you determine where child is on Tanner stages?
DO NOT EXAMINE –> show patient cards and ask them where they think they are
How to take a history from an adolescent?
- Rapport!!!
- Ask about school
- Hobbies
- Tell them you aren’t necessarily going to have to examine them
- Gynaecological
- Age of menarche
- Cycle
- Pain
- Bleeding/how often they change sanitary product
- Sexual (In absence of parents)
- Sexual activity
- Contraceptive
- Weight gain/loss
- Exercise
Describe Examination
General
- Bone abnormality
- Weight
- Acne
Breast - Show them chart
Gynaecological - Rarely done, but if done has to be done under anaestetic