Uro-genital bleeding in pre-menarcheal girls: dilemmas of child abuse

Pediatr Surg Int. 2008 Jun;24(6):745-6. doi: 10.1007/s00383-008-2146-4. Epub 2008 Apr 12.

Abstract

Uro-genital bleeding in pre-menarcheal girls always raises concerns regarding child abuse. There are serious social issues involved; however, before labeling it as sexual abuse, all efforts must be made to rule out an organic pathology. We recently encountered two young girls of Afro-Caribbean origin who presented with vaginal bleeding with concerns from referring physicians about child/sexual abuse. On examination both had a rare condition of urethral prolapse. One of them underwent four-quadrant excision and the other was treated conservatively with urethral catherization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child Abuse, Sexual / diagnosis*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / etiology*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Prolapse
  • Urethral Diseases / complications*
  • Urethral Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vagina