Teenage Health Care: The First Comprehensive Family Guide for the Preteen to Young Adult Years

Abstract

This book, written for parents and teenagers, is to help understand adolescents' concerns, to clarify the seriousness of problems, and to decide when to seek medical help. It is divided into 5 parts: "Overview of Adolescence," "Special Health Issues," "Psychological and Behavioral Issues," "Sexuality and Reproduction," and "Medical Conditions During Adolescence." The first section begins with a historical perspective of adolescence; the various developmental stages are then reviewed. The basic issues of growth and development, including sexual maturation, are reviewed. An area in this chapter titled "Causes for Concern" should be helpful to parents. Another chapter focuses on the health maintenance visit, which includes a psychosocial history, vaccinations, screening laboratory tests, and the pelvic examination. This chapter would have been more effective if pictures were used—especially when discussing the pelvic examination and male genital issues. Some practitioners might disagree with the authors' recommendations for screening tests (eg, an annual urethral