Vaginal discharge in a child: a challenging differential diagnosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v34.i4.39752Keywords:
foul-smelling discharge, gynecology, pediatric, vaginal foreign bodyAbstract
Introduction: Diagnosing vaginal foreign bodies in children is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and difficulty in obtaining a comprehensive medical history. Commonly presenting with recurrent urinary symptoms, foul-smelling discharge, and occasional bleeding, these cases can mimic infections or anatomical abnormalities, often resulting in multiple consultations and treatments before a correct diagnosis is made.
Case report: We present the case of a five-year-old girl with a two-year history of recurrent urinary symptoms and vaginal discharge, ultimately diagnosed with multiple vaginal foreign bodies. The initial treatments and assessments, including antimicrobial therapy and imaging tests, failed to identify the cause, highlighting the need for a thorough gynecological assessment in pediatric patients with unresolved symptoms.
Discussion: This case emphasizes the importance of considering vaginal foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of recurrent and unresolved vaginal symptoms in children, and of adopting a careful and sensitive approach in the diagnosis process.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Márcia Ferreira, Ana Pimentel Silva, Daniela Francisco , Sara Almeida
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