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Sexually transmitted diseases in children
Deepika Pandhi1, Sanjeev Kumar, Belum Siva Nagi Reddy
1Department of Dermatology and S.T.D., Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
The Journal of Dermatology
|April 23, 2003
Summary
Pediatric sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a neglected issue, affecting 0.82% of STD patients. Most affected children were illiterate, from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and showed signs of abuse, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause significant morbidity, particularly in children, yet this remains an under-recognized problem.
- Pediatric STDs are often overlooked, contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to severe long-term physical and emotional consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinico-epidemiological profile of STDs in pediatric patients.
- To determine the prevalence and common types of STDs among children attending a tertiary care hospital's STD clinic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of pediatric patients (under 18) diagnosed with STDs between January 1995 and February 2001.
- Involved detailed clinical examinations and relevant laboratory investigations for all identified pediatric cases.
Main Results:
- Pediatric STD cases represented 0.82% of all STD patients (127 out of 15,453).
- The highest incidence was observed in the 10-14 age group (66.1%), with most patients being illiterate (61.4%) and from low socioeconomic backgrounds (70.9%).
- Syphilis (25.2%), vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (11.8%), condyloma-acuminata (14.2%), and herpes progenitalis (8.7%) were the predominant STDs. Notably, 74% of patients had histories or signs of abuse.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric STDs are a significant, underdiagnosed public health concern, often linked to sexual abuse.
- Effective prevention strategies, early detection, and specialized counseling, especially for vulnerable populations like those in juvenile detention, are crucial.