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Prepubertal Vaginal Discharge

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Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Heather, 4 years old
• Yellowish, non-foul vaginal discharge • Vulvar pruritus • Painful urination

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Discharge in a Prepubertal Girl
• Most common gynecological complaint in this age group (50% of all pediatric gynecologic visits) • The most frequent age of referral is between 3-10 years (mean = 4.1

years)
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Why are prepubertal girls at risk?
• Prepubertal anatomy and phyiosolgy • Behavioral factors

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Why are prepubertal girls at risk?
• Prepubertal anatomy and phyiosolgy play a major etiological role in vaginal discharge • Hormonal milieu is…

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

No labial fat pads and pubic hair

Mucosa is thin, lacks cornification, and has a neutral to alkaline pH

Labia minora is thin

Close proximity of the vagina to the anal opening

Why are prepubertal girls at risk?
• Behavioral factors
 Children’s tendency to poor hygiene
 Poor hand washing  Spread of respiratory bacteria from hand to perineum  Inadequate cleansing of the vulva after voiding or after bowel movements

 Children’s tendency to explore their bodies  Irritants against the vulva
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Approach to Evaluation
• Evaluation always begins with a very thorough history-taking (given by the parent, caregiver, or the older child herself)

• In general, ask if there is any concern regarding sexual abuse (usually an unvoiced worry)

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Approach to Evaluation
• Ask about: duration of illness use of medications hygiene techniques use of hygiene products infections in other household members skin disorders urinary and bowel habits masturbation (genital exploration) types of clothing (nylon, Lycra)
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Approach to Evaluation
The pediatric gynecologic examination is always preceded by general examination.

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Approach to Evaluation
The genital examination should be carried out at the end, once the patient is comfortable with the examiner.

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Approach to Evaluation
Under no circumstances should a child be

physically restrained or forced to undergo an examination, as this is traumatic and non-productive.
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Frog Leg

Modified Frog Leg

Positioning Techniques
Knee-chest

(Vestibule/Hymen)

Visualization Techniques

Supine Lateral Traction

Supine Lateral Spread

Nasal speculum

Visualization Techniques (Vagina and Cervix)
Vaginoscopy

Otoscope

Specimen Collection

Swab

Infant feeding tube attached to syringe

Recto-abdominal Exam
Not routinely done. In the evaluation of vaginal discharge, this is done only if there’s

suspicion of vaginal foreign body.

Etiology of Prepubertal Vaginal Discharge
• Vulvovaginitis
 Non-specific  Infective/Specific

• Vulvar dermatitis (chemical/irritant) • Vaginal foreign bodies • Sexual abuse (STI)
*tumors and trauma usually present with vaginal
BLEEDING

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vulvovaginitis
• Most common cause of prepubertal vaginal discharge • Inflammation of the vulvar and vaginal tissues
• In children, the vulva is usually inflamed first with the vagina uninvolved, or secondarily infected

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Clinical Features of Vulvovaginitis
Signs • Inflammation • Excoriation • Vaginal discharge Symptoms • Vaginal discharge (62-92%) • Redness (82%) • Soreness (74%) • Pruritus (45-58%) • Dysuria (19%) • Bleeding (5-10%)

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Diagnosis of Vulvovaginitis
History and PE Vaginal smear Gram stain Vaginal culture Wet mount (if necessary)

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Non-specific Vulvovaginitis
• accounts for 60-80% of cases of prepubertal vulvovaginitis • Vulvar and distal vaginal inflammation is thought to result from subtle alterations

in the local microbiologic flora and/or host defense and homeostatic mechanisms secondary to poor

perineal and fecal hygiene
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Non-specific Vulvovaginitis
• on Gram stain, mixed flora or predominance of cocci, as well as minimal leukocytes and epithelial cells and are appreciated • vaginal cultures will be reported as nonspecific skin flora (Staphylococcus) or will show mixed anaerobes or coliforms (E. coli, Enterococci, Proteus, Klebsiella) from the gut

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Non-specific Vulvovaginitis
• TREATMENT  responds to at least a 2- to 3-week regimen of hygienic measures and avoidance of any identified irritants
 for mild inflammation, twice daily sitz bath may help improve symptoms

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Non-specific Vulvovaginitis
• TREATMENT  with severe inflammation, topical estrogen cream may facilitate healing
 if discharge is persistent or recurrent despite these measures, consider possibility of foreign body or a

specific infection

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Perineal Hygiene
• front-to-back wiping after bowel movements • frequent changes of cotton underwear • avoid bubble baths and use of harsh soaps • avoid tight-fitting clothes • keep perineal area dry at all times

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Perineal Hygiene
• front-to-back wiping after bowel movements • frequent changes of cotton underwear • avoid bubble baths and use of harsh soaps • avoid tight-fitting clothes • keep perineal area dry at all times

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS:

BACTERIAL

FUNGAL

VIRAL

PARASITIC

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus Hemophilus influenzae Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pneumoniae Neisseria meningitidis Shigella Yersinia

BACTERIAL

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Group A beta hemolytic Strep and H. influenzae (both respiratory pathogens) are the most commonly isolated Shigella causes a characteristic blood-tinged mucopurulent vaginal discharge
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

BACTERIAL

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS:

BACTERIAL

Treatment of a specific pathogen includes the hygiene measures recommended, and appropriate antibiotic therapy
Antibiotics are used if a pure or predominant growth of a pathogen is identified
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Candida infections are rare in the non-estrogenized prepubertal girl Risk factors include recent antibiotic use, immunosuppression, and juvenile-onset DM

FUNGAL

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Vaginal discharge is thick, white, cottage cheese-like KOH wet mount shows spores and hyphae Treatment with topical antifungals is often adequate

FUNGAL

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Herpes simplex virus is the most common viral pathogen transmitted vertically during labor Sexual abuse must be investigated if present beyond the neonatal period
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

VIRAL

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Diagnosis is clinical but can be confirmed by serology

VIRAL
Oral antiviral agents (acyclovir, famciclovir) are effective treatments

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS:

VIRAL

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a common infestation in young girls Severe nocturnal perineal and perianal pruritus is pathognomonic

PARASITIC

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Infective/Specific Vulvovaginitis
• caused by either of the following PATHOGENS: Scotch tape swab usually demonstrates the D-shaped PARASITIC ova Mebendazole 2 doses, 2 weeks apart (> 2 y/o) or single dose Albendazole (< 2 y/o) provides adequate treatment
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vulvar Dermatitis
• Contact or allergic vulvitis may lead to significant pruritus with scratching and excoriation resulting in a vaginal discharge • Offending irritants: bubble baths, perfumed soaps, laundry detergents, ointments and lotions
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vulvar Dermatitis
• Contact or allergic vulvitis may lead to significant pruritus with scratching and excoriation resulting in a vaginal discharge • Offending irritants: bubble baths, perfumed soaps, laundry detergents, ointments and lotions
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vulvar Dermatitis
• Treatment includes removal of the irritant and adherence to hygienic measures • A short course of topical hydrocortisone should be considered if symptoms persist
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Foreign Body
• Presents as recurrent or persistent foulsmelling, blood-tinged mucopurulent vaginal discharge

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Foreign Body

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Foreign Body
• Toilet paper is the most commonly found intravaginal foreign body

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Vaginal Foreign Body
• If the object is lodged in the lower vaginal canal, extraction by simple “milking” of that object during rectal examination may suffice • Otherwise, direct visualization of the vaginal canal and FB extraction, with use of either a nasal speculum or a vaginoscope, may be done under anesthesia
Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Sexual Abuse (STI in children)
• In most cases of sexual abuse, the diagnosis is based on the child’s statements, as rarely are there any physical residua from the abuse

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Sexual Abuse (STI in children)
• STIs are rare in prepubertal children with sexual abuse • Prevalence rates range from 0.73.7%

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Sexual Abuse (STI in children)
STI screening/testing is warranted if there is:
 an abnormal genital examination  a vaginal discharge  contact with a perpetrator with an STI  a history of genital-to-genital contact

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Sexual Abuse (STI in children)
• Presence of STIs beyond the incubation period of vertical transmission (N. gonorrhea, C. trachomatis, T. pallidum, HSV, HPV, etc.) can also be used to confirm the medical diagnosis of sexual abuse

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Summary Points
• Vaginal discharge is the most common gynecologic complaint in prepubertal girls • The hypoestrogenic hormonal milieu increases susceptibility of the vaginal mucosa to inflammation and infection

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Summary Points
• Non-specific vulvovaginitis accounts for 60-80% of pediatric vulvovaginitis cases. Improved perineal hygiene and removal of irritants often provide resolution of symptoms.

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Summary Points
• Current evidence suggests that in prepubertal girls with clinical features of vulvovaginitis, antibiotics should be used only if a pure or predominant growth of a pathogen is identified

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

Summary Points
• Other causes of prepubertal vaginal discharge:
    Infective/Specific vulvovaginitis Vulvar dermatitis Vaginal Foreign body Sexual abuse (STI)

Vaginal Discharge in the Prepubertal Girl

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