Below is a news release on a policy statement appearing in the online early release section of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and published in the October print version.

CHICAGO - In a new policy entitled, "Emergency Contraception," the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports availability of emergency contraception for adolescents. The policy statement confirms notes that the two FDA-approved medications, Preven™and Plan B™, are safe and effective for adolescent use. Plan B™, the progestin-only method, is more effective and better tolerated than the combined hormone methods, and is the first choice of dedicated products for emergency contraception.

The AAP encourages abstinence plus comprehensive sexuality education as the best way to help prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Ensuring access to contraception - including emergency contraception - and educating sexually active adolescents on proper use and indications of the various methods are essential components to comprehensive sexuality education.

The focus of this new policy statement is to provide pediatricians information about emergency contraception so that they can better inform patients about use of these products. It recommends that physicians address emergency contraception when sexuality issues are addressed during annual preventive health care visits with all teen and young adult patients. Currently, only 20-25 percent of health care providers discuss emergency contraception with adolescent patients. Studies show that an increase in availability of emergency contraception does not change rates of sexual activity or increase the frequency of unprotected sex among adolescents.

Emergency contraception refers to the use of hormonal medications within 72 to 120 hours after unprotected sex for the prevention of unintended pregnancy. Using the same hormones found in some oral contraceptives, emergency contraception primarily inhibits the ovulatory process. Emergency contraception does not have the ability to disrupt a pregnancy that has already implanted in the uterine lining. Emergency contraception is safe and effective; there are few side effects. None of the side effects are dangerous.

Although adolescent birth rates have declined in the past 10 years, unintended teen pregnancy and the associated negative consequences of adolescent pregnancy remain important public health concerns. Adolescent birth rates in the United States are much higher than rates in other developed countries. Emergency contraception has the potential to significantly reduce teen pregnancy rates and this will similarly reduce the abortion rate.

- A factsheet is available for parents and adolescents.

- Making the Right Choice - Facts for Teens on Preventing Pregnancy

- Correct Use of Condoms

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.