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Vaginal foreign body presenting as bleeding with defecation in a child
Hasan M Abdessamad1, Marjorie Greenfield
1University Hospitals Case Medical Center-MacDonald Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
|April 7, 2009
Summary
Vaginal foreign bodies in children can cause various symptoms, not just vaginal bleeding. A case report highlights a microscopic vaginal foreign body presenting as rectal bleeding in a young girl.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gynecology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Foreign Body Ingestion
Background:
- Vaginal foreign bodies are a common cause of pediatric gynecologic visits, typically presenting with vaginal bleeding.
- Other reported symptoms include vaginal discharge, odor, irritation, and abdominal pain.
Observation:
- A case of a microscopic vaginal foreign body was identified in a preadolescent girl.
- The patient uniquely presented with hematochezia (rectal bleeding) without any vaginal bleeding.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates that vaginal foreign bodies can manifest with atypical symptoms.
- Microscopic vaginal foreign bodies may present as hematochezia, mimicking gastrointestinal bleeding.
Implications:
- Physicians should consider vaginal foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hematochezia in young girls.
- Diverse presentations of vaginal foreign bodies necessitate a broad diagnostic approach in pediatric patients.
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