This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Vulvovaginitis

Authoring team

In children, vaginitis is usually accompanied by secondary vulvitis, and the condition is known as vulvovaginitis.

It is usually associated with:

  • poor perianal hygiene - fluff or toilet tissue may accumulate and form a nidus about which debris collects
  • insertion of a foreign body by the child
  • sexual interference

Infection is relatively uncommon as the non-oestrogenised vagina is protected by the hymen. Organisms that may be responsible include:

  • Candida or Trichomonas carried from an adult
  • Neisseria gonococcus
  • threadworms passing from the anus to the vulva

Soreness and discomfort on micturition are common. A purulent discharge is suggestive of a foreign body.

Management:

  • advice on general hygiene where appropriate e.g. wipe from the front to the back; daily washing of the vulva
  • vaginal swab and culture
  • rectal examination to exclude a foreign body
  • oral metronidazole for Trichomonas
  • oral nystatin for Candida

Reference

  1. Paladine HL, Desai UA. Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Mar 1;97(5):321-329.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.