1. Home>
2. Specialties>
3. Women's Health>
4. Summary and Comment

Parental Notification in Teen Abortion: The Texas Experience

With parental notification, birth rates rose among the oldest teens affected by the law.

Thirty-five states currently enforce laws regarding parental involvement in teen abortions. In 2000, Texas began enforcing a law mandating that clinicians notify parents of minor girls (those younger than 18) at least 2 days before performing an abortion. In this report, investigators examined rates of abortion and birth among Texas teens during the 2 years before and after implementation of this law.

After the law’s implementation, abortion rates among girls aged 15 to 17 fell significantly, compared with rates among 18-year-olds (i.e., those not subject to the law). Because birth rates differ greatly between younger and older teens, the researchers compared rates between the oldest teens affected by the law (those aged 17 years, 6 months to 17 years, 9 months at conception) and those between 18 and 18 years, 3 months at conception. They found that birth rates were significantly higher among the 17-year-olds than among the 18-year-olds (relative rate ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.08). This same subgroup of 17-year-olds, who would not turn 18 until after their first trimester, were significantly more likely to undergo second-trimester abortion than were girls aged 18 or older at conception (odds ratio, 1.34).

Comment: One discouraging component of laws enforcing parental involvement in teen abortions is that they mandate parental involvement only after pregnancy has occurred. In contrast, optimal communication between parents and teens regarding sexuality happens much earlier and results in prevention, whether through use of effective contraception or a delay in initiation of sexual activity.

This analysis provides important and sobering observations. In contrast to other studies, it documents an increase in childbirth among the oldest teens impacted by the Texas law. In addition, with implementation of the law, the oldest teens affected were more likely to undergo second-trimester abortion, which (while safer than childbirth) entails more risks than earlier abortion.

— Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Published in Journal Watch Women's Health April 18, 2006

Citation(s):

Joyce T et al. Changes in abortions and births and the Texas parental notification law. N Engl J Med 2006 Mar 9; 354:1031-8.

• Original article (Subscription may be required)
• Medline abstract (Free)