title: Vulvovaginitis in childhood.
abstract: Symptoms related to vulvitis and vulvovaginitis are a frequent complaint in the paediatric age. Knowledge of the risk factors and the pathogenetic mechanisms, combined with thorough clinical examination, helps to distinguish between dermatological diseases, non-specific vulvitis and vulvovaginitis proper. On the basis of microbiological data, the most common pathogens prove to be Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Enterobius vermicularis; fungal and viral infections are less frequent. The possibility of isolating opportunistic pathogens should also be considered. In rare situations, the isolation of a micro-organism normally transmitted by sexual contact should prompt a careful evaluation of possible sexual abuse. Current treatments for specific and non-specific forms are outlined, together with pointers for the evaluation of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. meteldei@alice.it
authors.forename: Metella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dei
authors.forename: Floriana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Maggio
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.forename: Vincenzina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bruni
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D017229:Enterobiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents