Jump to ContentJump to Main Navigation

AMA Manual of Style Committee

Contents

TPAL.4(pp225-226)

Chapter:
Nomenclature
Author(s):

Harriet S. Meyer

15.12.2 TPAL.4

The letters in this expression indicate obstetric history as follows:

Letter

Expansion

T

term deliveries

P

premature deliveries

A

abortions

L

living children

Often, 4 numbers separated by hyphens are recorded, eg:

TPAL: 3–1-1-4 or 3-1-1-4

which would indicate 3 term deliveries, 1 premature delivery, 1 abortion, and 4 living children. However, the text of a manuscript should define the numerical expressions and not give the numbers alone.