U.K. Mother Loses Challenge to Teen Abortion Guidance

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U.K. Mother Loses Challenge to Teen Abortion Guidance

Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) -- A British mother lost a legal challenge to health guidelines permitting girls under the age of 16 to have abortions without their parents' knowledge.

Susan Axon, 52, was seeking a review of the standards that require medical professionals to uphold the confidentiality of minor patients on sex-related issues, claiming they undermined her rights and responsibilities as a parent.

Justice Stephen Silber today dismissed her case at the High Court in London, saying that forcing young girls to inform their parents before seeking treatment may damage their health, leading them to ``make decisions they later regret, or seek the assistance of an unofficial abortionist.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aBVRtBuleqxE&refer=europe