Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Normal development
- Part II Management of developmental abnormalities of the genital tract
- Part III Management of specific disorders
- 18 Disorders of growth and puberty
- 19 Turner's syndrome
- 20 Androgen insensitivity syndromes
- 21 Rokitansky syndrome and other Müllerian anomalies
- 22 The XY female
- 23 The gynaecology of the major genitourinary anomalies
- 24 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- 25 Long-term sequelae of genital surgery
- 26 Amenorrhoea
- 27 The polycystic ovary syndrome and adolescent women
- 28 Menstrual disorders in adolescent girls
- 29 Pelvic pain, ovarian cysts and endometriosis in adolescent girls
- 30 Premature ovarian failure and ovarian ageing
- 31 Gynaecological cancers in childhood
- 32 Late reproductive sequelae of treatment for childhood cancer
- 33 Preservation of fertility before cancer therapy
- 34 The management of infertility with surrogacy and egg donation
- 35 Dermatological conditions of the female genitalia
- 36 Vaginal discharge
- 37 Psychological gender development in individuals born with ambiguous genitalia
- 38 Eating disorders in adolescence
- 39 Nutritional amenorrhoea: long-term sequelae
- 40 How to set up a service: how to teach and train
- Index
- Plate section
- References
36 - Vaginal discharge
from Part III - Management of specific disorders
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 May 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Normal development
- Part II Management of developmental abnormalities of the genital tract
- Part III Management of specific disorders
- 18 Disorders of growth and puberty
- 19 Turner's syndrome
- 20 Androgen insensitivity syndromes
- 21 Rokitansky syndrome and other Müllerian anomalies
- 22 The XY female
- 23 The gynaecology of the major genitourinary anomalies
- 24 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- 25 Long-term sequelae of genital surgery
- 26 Amenorrhoea
- 27 The polycystic ovary syndrome and adolescent women
- 28 Menstrual disorders in adolescent girls
- 29 Pelvic pain, ovarian cysts and endometriosis in adolescent girls
- 30 Premature ovarian failure and ovarian ageing
- 31 Gynaecological cancers in childhood
- 32 Late reproductive sequelae of treatment for childhood cancer
- 33 Preservation of fertility before cancer therapy
- 34 The management of infertility with surrogacy and egg donation
- 35 Dermatological conditions of the female genitalia
- 36 Vaginal discharge
- 37 Psychological gender development in individuals born with ambiguous genitalia
- 38 Eating disorders in adolescence
- 39 Nutritional amenorrhoea: long-term sequelae
- 40 How to set up a service: how to teach and train
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
Vaginal discharge in childhood
Vaginal discharge is the most common gynaecological complaint in young girls. The majority are managed by general practitioners (primary care physicians) and referral to a gynaecologist tends to occur only if the patient fails to respond to treatment. It is, therefore, important that all those involved in the management of vaginal discharge in children understand the causes, so that the condition can be adequately investigated and treated.
History
The history is usually provided by the child's mother whose anxiety may be fuelled by concerns over the implications of abnormal vaginal discharge and the association with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) recognized in older subjects. Such fears need to be allayed since there is no such proven association in prepubertal girls with vaginal discharge. Alternatively, family members may be concerned about a potential sexual abuse situation, although they perhaps will volunteer these fears less frequently. The child should be engaged in general conversation and asked questions about her complaints. In this way she can be involved in the consultation, can acknowledge that she is an important part of the process and can appreciate the need for an examination.
The duration, frequency and quantity of the discharge, its colour and associated odour need to be established along with details of previous treatments received. An offensive odour indicates anaerobic bacterial involvement.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Paediatric and Adolescent GynaecologyA Multidisciplinary Approach, pp. 473 - 491Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004