Secret pregnancy tests for girls

Girls as young as nine are being given secret tests in accident and emergency department, in a move to detect young pregnancies.

A survey published in the Nursing Standard magazine has revealed that one in five emergency nurses are carrying out covert checks in what is "probably a fairly common practice".

Tests are often performed without the girls' or their parents' knowledge, and after the child has complained of abdominal pains.

Nurses fear the child could be suffering an ectopic pregnancy - when the foetus grows outside the womb - a condition requiring emergency treatment. Doctors in many A&E departments will categorically refuse to examine a girl with abdominal pain, unless she has been tested.

The findings are likely to anger the human rights lobby and was today branded "extremely worrying" by the Royal College of Nursing, which called for it to be ended. RCN advisor in paediatric nursing, Sue Barr, said: " Doctors can order nurses to carry out tests to rule out any early pregnancy, particularly if the patient is going to be sent for an X-ray which could harm a developing baby.

"But consent from the girl and parents must be sought. There should not be covert testing of any condition. They must tell the child or their parents and use common sense so it is not a waste of resources.

"You wouldn't carry out a test on a 60-year-old woman like me so why a little girl?" A snapshot survey of members of the Royal College of Nursing's A&E association conference in Cheshire yesterday revealed that secret emergency tests were being carried out.

Ms Burr, who has been nursing for more than 40 years, said the A&E association was trying to find out how common the practice was but said that it was against official guidelines.

John Henry,, professor of A&E medicine at St Mary's Hospital, London, said: "I believe the practice is fairly common. If a girl presents with abdominal pain and she happens to be pregnant, there is a risk she may have an ectopic pregnancy. That is an emergency which can blow at any time. Parents should be asked first."

A&E association vice chair man, Rober t Sowney, backed the call for parental consent. He told the Nursing Standard: "I would rather know about it and I don't think I'm different from any other parent."