Vulvovaginitis during childhood and adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate cases of vulvovaginitis treated in our institutions.


METHODS
Follow-up of 1,778 cases of vulvovaginitis to investigate the prevalence of various pathogens involved in the disease.


METHODS
Divisions of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, university hospitals of Crete and Athens, Greece.


METHODS
Girls 1-18 years old seen at the clinics of the above institutions.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Vaginal culture, cytology, and vaginoscopy.


RESULTS
Vulvovaginitis was encountered in 61.8% of the gynecological problems seen during childhood and adolescence. Infections were usually located in both the vulva and the vagina (56.9%). The main symptoms were vaginal discharge (53%), erythema (33%), and pruritus (27%). Candida spp (23.0%), beta-hemolytic Streptococci group B (15.0%), and Enterococci spp (10.0%) were the most frequent pathogens involved in the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Vulvovaginitis is a common disease during childhood and adolescence. Effective treatment, reassurance, and appropriate consultation based on the prevention of relapses are the most important steps for the management of the disease.
Koumantakis
E E
EE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Crete, Greece.
Hassan
E A
EA
Deligeoroglou
E K
EK
Creatsas
G K
GK
D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy