Testing and Treating Sexually Assaulted Adolescents: What Are We Waiting For?

Abstract

* Abbreviations: CDC — : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ED — : emergency department STI — : sexually transmitted infection A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observed a very high rate of reported sexual assault among high school students, which occurred in 10% of girls surveyed.1 Both the CDC2,3 and the American Academy of Pediatrics4–6 recommend routine testing and prophylaxis against infection and pregnancy for sexually assaulted adolescents. Although the rates of testing and prophylaxis among adult victims of sexual assault are low throughout US emergency departments (EDs),7–9 little is known about sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and prophylaxis rates in adolescents. In this issue of Pediatrics, Schilling et al describe the rates of STI testing and prophylaxis across pediatric hospital EDs and evaluate whether local guidelines and specialized sexual assault teams influence the rates of testing and prophylaxis.10 Thirty percent of the 38 hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System reported having a clinical pathway for the care of patients with sexual assault, and 64% of hospitals reported having a specialized sexual assault team. Rates of STI testing among the 12 687 adolescents included … Address correspondence to Mark I. Neuman, MD, MPH, Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Emergency Medicine, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: mark.neuman{at}childrens.harvard.edu