G5T2A1L2: Obstetric History Notation
G5T2A1L2 is obstetric shorthand notation that describes a woman's pregnancy history: 5 total pregnancies (Gravida), 2 term deliveries, 1 abortion/miscarriage, and 2 living children.
This is a standardized medical coding system used to quickly communicate a patient's obstetric history, though it is not part of the ICD diagnostic coding system 1, 2.
Breaking Down the Code
The GTPAL system provides a structured way to document pregnancy outcomes:
- G5 (Gravida): Total number of pregnancies = 5 3
- T2 (Term): Number of term deliveries (≥37 weeks gestation) = 2 3
- P0 (Preterm): Number of preterm deliveries (20-36 weeks) = 0 (implied when not stated) 3
- A1 (Abortions): Number of abortions/miscarriages (<20 weeks) = 1 3
- L2 (Living): Number of currently living children = 2 3
Clinical Interpretation
This notation indicates the patient has been pregnant 5 times, delivered 2 babies at term, had 1 pregnancy loss before 20 weeks, and currently has 2 living children. 3
The discrepancy between pregnancies (5) and accounted outcomes (2 term + 1 abortion = 3) suggests 2 additional pregnancy outcomes that could include:
- Additional miscarriages not separately counted 3
- Ectopic pregnancies 3
- Molar pregnancies 3
- Multiple gestations where one twin/triplet did not survive 3
Clinical Documentation Importance
Accurate obstetric history coding is essential for:
- Risk stratification: Identifying high-risk pregnancies based on prior outcomes 4
- Clinical decision-making: Informing prenatal care intensity and delivery planning 4
- Quality measurement: Tracking maternal-fetal outcomes across populations 1
Common Documentation Pitfalls
Clinicians should ensure the numbers are internally consistent - the living children (L) should never exceed the sum of term and preterm deliveries, accounting for multiple gestations 1, 5. Discrepancies often indicate documentation errors that can lead to misclassification in research and quality reporting 6.
The GTPAL system requires clear clinical documentation in the medical record to support accurate coding, as administrative codes alone may not capture the complete obstetric history 2, 6.