Infections of the lower female genital tract during childhood and adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of lower female genital tract infections at a young age.


METHODS
Review study.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower female genital tract infections at a young age may involve the vulva, the vagina and, less frequently, the fallopian tubes. Good knowledge of the physiology and anatomy of the respective areas plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of vulvovaginitis. Candida albicans is the most frequent cause of infection, while Gardnerella vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, and Trichomonas vaginalis are rarer ones. The clinical presentation includes a variety of symptoms and signs, with vaginal discharge being the prominent one. Treatment should be causative after careful investigation while preventive advice is mandatory.
Deligeoroglou
E
E
Division of Pediatric-Adolescent Gynecology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens (Greece).
Salakos
N
N
Makrakis
E
E
Chassiakos
D
D
Hassan
E A
EA
Christopoulos
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents