A Considered Approach to Sterilization of Mentally Retarded Youth
- 1 March 1976
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
- Vol. 130 (3) , 288-290
- https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1976.02120040066011
Abstract
• A protocol of response to families requesting sterilization for retarded youths was developed, utilizing the multidisciplinary approach already structured in a project of sex education and family planning for handicapped juveniles. We operated on 20 patients over a 3½-year period. Specific criteria for sterilization eligibility were applied, based on medical diagnosis and psychometric and psychosocial maturity evaluation. Long-term follow-up indicates parental satisfaction, improved school attendance for patients after hysterectomy who were previously unable to cope with menstrual hygiene, and no postoperative depression or increase of sexual activity or sexual exploitation. (Am J Dis Child 130:288-290, 1976)This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: