Vaginal bleeding in premenarchal girls: a review

Vaginal bleeding in childhood is not a common complaint. Serious medical or sociological problems can underly this irregular symptom in young girls. Therefore it requires careful medical investigation followed by appropriate sociologic and psychologic support. The variable etiologies of vulvovaginitis are the most common causes of vaginal bleeding during the prepubertal period. External blood loss can be related to trauma or urologic factors. It can be the presenting sign of relatively rare benign and malignant neoplasms of the genital tract. Precocious menstruation in itself or as a part of precocious puberty must be suspected in these cases. Vaginal bleeding in prepubertal girls is uncommon but warrants careful evaluation because of the special status of the young patient.