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Girls who masturbate in early infancy: diagnostics, natural course and a long-term follow-up

Peo Rödöö1, Dan Hellberg

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Falun Hospital, Falun, Sweden. per-olof.rodoo@regionhalland.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study followed infant girls with early-onset masturbation for 8 years. Most cases resolved naturally, with diagnosis aided by observation and history, reassuring parents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Child Psychology
  • Human Sexuality

Background:

  • Infant girls exhibiting masturbatory behavior are rarely documented, primarily in case reports.
  • Understanding the natural course and diagnostic criteria for this phenomenon is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.

Observation:

  • Nineteen healthy infant girls diagnosed with masturbation between 3 and 15 months were followed for an average of 8 years.
  • Masturbation onset averaged 10.4 months, with reported frequencies varying widely.
  • Video documentation and direct observation were utilized in diagnosis for some participants.

Findings:

  • Twelve of the 19 girls ceased masturbating after a mean duration of 66 months.
  • Diagnosis relied on history and clinical observation, with normal physical and neurological exams being key.
  • The study highlights the potential for natural resolution of infant masturbation.

Implications:

  • This research provides the first follow-up data on infant girls with early-onset masturbation.
  • Accurate diagnosis, supported by awareness and video evidence, can prevent unnecessary investigations.
  • Reassurance of parents is a key outcome, emphasizing the benign nature of the condition in most cases.
Abstract

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