title: Epidemiology of adult sexually transmitted disease agents in children being evaluated for sexual abuse.
abstract: This prospective study describes the epidemiology of adult sexually transmitted disease agents in 1538 children ages 1 to 12 years being evaluated for possible sexual abuse. Infections with these agents were related to the presence or absence of a history of sexual contact. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) was found in 2.8% (41 of 1469); human papillomavirus presenting as condyloma acuminata, 1.8%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 1.2% (17 of 1473); Treponema pallidum (syphilis), 0.1% (1 of 1263); and herpes simplex virus, 0.1%. Overall a history of sexual contact was present in 83% of children with N. gonorrhoeae; condyloma acuminata, 43%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 94%; syphilis, 0%; and herpes simplex virus, 50%. Selected vaginal discharges were examined for Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis. In children comprehending questions regarding sexual contact (i.e. were "verbal"), 89% with N. gonorrhoeae, 100% with Chlamydia trachomatis and 63% with condyloma acuminata had a history of sexual contact, indicating that in "verbal" children any infection with N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis was highly associated with sexual contact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Medical Center, Raleigh.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ingram
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lyna
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rockwell
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*