Pelvic inflammatory disease in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
We discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease in adolescents.


RESULTS
Young age is one of the most important risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases and pelvic inflammatory disease. Sexually active adolescents have the highest incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and pelvic inflammatory disease of any sexually active age group. Long-term sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease include ectopic pregnancy, tubal factor infertility, tubo-ovarian abscesses and chronic pelvic pain. Subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease is responsible for a significant portion of these long-term sequelae. New (2006) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treatment guidelines for pelvic inflammatory disease are available. One of the best methods of prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease is to screen and treat sexually active adolescents for chlamydial infection. Implementation of nucleic acid amplification assays allows screening of adolescents via self-collected urine or vaginal swab samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a highly preventable source of reproductive morbidity for adolescents. It is prudent that clinicians provide counseling regarding healthy sexual behaviors, STD prevention, and contraception whenever an adolescent presents in need of STD screening or evaluation for pelvic inflammatory disease.
Gray-Swain
M Rosanna
MR
Washington University in St Louis, School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, MO 63110-1094, USA.
Peipert
Jeffrey F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000150:complications*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents