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Vulvovaginitis in Childhood

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Good Practice in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

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Abstract

Vulvovaginal complaints account for 80–90% of outpatient pediatric gynecologic visits [40]. Most cases may be attributed to vulvovaginitis but other less common conditions should be taken into account. Clinical symptoms of vulvovaginitis include itching, burning, pain, irritation, vulvovaginal discomfort, dysuria, and abnormal vaginal discharge; either nonspecific vulvar signs or typical skin lesions may be present. Inflammation may be limited to the vulvar and perianal area or extended to the vagina. The prepubertal child is particularly susceptible to vulvovaginitis. Although vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girl may be often attributed to poor hygiene or nonspecific irritant, clinicians should be able to recognize specific vulvovaginitis, due to infective agents, and other vulvovaginal conditions, such as vulvar diseases or vulvar manifestations of systemic disease, whose symptoms may overlap. Rare causes of vulvovaginitis have to be considered especially when symptoms are recurrent or not responsive to standard treatment. In this chapter, the causes, manifestations, and management options of vulvovaginitis in childhood will be reviewed. Furthermore, common vulvar diseases affecting children were outlined, since their knowledge is essential for differential diagnosis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Cristina Vezzani M.D. & Gabriele Tridenti M.D.

  2. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Service, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Santo Spirito Hospital, Pescara, Italy

    Gilda Di Paolo M.D.

  3. Studio Madreperla, Pescara, Italy

    Terryann Spagnuolo M.D.

Authors
  1. Cristina Vezzani M.D.
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  2. Gilda Di Paolo M.D.
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  3. Terryann Spagnuolo M.D.
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  4. Gabriele Tridenti M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gilda Di Paolo M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Anna Maria Fulghesu

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Vezzani, C., Di Paolo, G., Spagnuolo, T., Tridenti, G. (2018). Vulvovaginitis in Childhood. In: Fulghesu, A. (eds) Good Practice in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57162-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57162-1_1

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