A 16-year-old girl presents at 8 weeks gestation requesting medical abortion. She is accompanied by her mother. The most appropriate medical abortion regimen and key legal consideration in India under MTP Act 2021 is:
- A Mifepristone 600 mg + misoprostol; guardian consent mandatory as she is a minor
- B Mifepristone 200 mg + misoprostol 800 mcg; she may consent herself but the treating doctor must maintain confidentiality ✓
- C Misoprostol alone 800 mcg; parental consent always overrides patient consent for minors
- D She cannot access medical abortion without a court order as she is under 18
Correct answer: B. Mifepristone 200 mg + misoprostol 800 mcg; she may consent herself but the treating doctor must maintain confidentiality
Explanation
The standard evidence-based medical abortion regimen is mifepristone 200 mg followed by misoprostol 800 mcg (vaginal/sublingual) 24–48 hours later, which is as effective as the older 600 mg mifepristone dose. Under the MTP Act 2021 and Indian law, minors are a special category permitted abortion up to 24 weeks; however, guardian consent is required for minors in India since they lack legal capacity to provide independent consent. The treating doctor must maintain strict confidentiality of the minor's identity. This is specifically mandated under the MTP Act to protect the minor.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.