title: Childhood vulvovaginitis: report of two cases.
abstract: Vaginal discharge in young prepubertal girls is a common problem in clinical practice. No specific infective pathogen is identified in most of the children. The reported common microbes include group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae and some Gram-negative bacilli. Sexually transmitted pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are important causes of vulvovaginitis in children suffering from sexual abuse. We report two cases of prepubertal vulvovaginitis presenting with profuse purulent vaginal discharge, and H. influenzae and N. gonorrhoeae identified respectively. Both girls denied any sexual exposure and there was no evidence of sexual abuse. They responded well to antibiotic treatment, and no symptoms recurred in the following months. We would like to emphasize the defined etiology of childhood vulvovaginitis and appropriate treatment, in addition to gynecological evaluation for evidence of sexual abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsiu-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Ching-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*