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Vulvovaginitis in a pediatric population: relationship among etiologic agents, age and Tanner staging of breast
Dolores Ocampo1, Gisel Rahman1, Silvina Giugno2
1Unidad de Ginecología Infanto-Juvenil, Hospital Sor María Ludovica, La Plata, Buenos Aires.
Insights
Vulvovaginitis etiology varies by age and pubertal development. Younger girls are often affected by Shigella and Oxyuris, while older girls show Candida albicans, Gardnerella, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, indicating hormonal influence is key.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Vulvovaginitis is a common reason for pediatric gynecology consultations, accounting for 25% of visits.
- Understanding the causes of vulvovaginitis is crucial for effective treatment and management in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiological agents of vulvovaginitis.
- To correlate the etiology with patient age and Tanner staging of breast development.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1st to December 31st, 2011.
- Patients were categorized into age groups (0-8.9, 9-15.9, 16-18 years) and Tanner stages (I, II-III, IV-V).
- Etiologic agents were identified and analyzed based on these classifications.
Main Results:
- Two hundred twenty-nine patients were analyzed.
- Shigella and Oxyuris were prevalent in younger girls (GI, prepubertal).
- Candida albicans, Gardnerella, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were more common in older girls (GII-GIII, pubertal and postpubertal).
Conclusions:
- The etiology of vulvovaginitis is significantly influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty.
- Oxyuris was the predominant agent in prepubertal girls, whereas Candida albicans was more common in postpubertal girls.
- Hormonal factors play a more critical role in determining vulvovaginitis etiology than chronological age alone.
Introduction:
Vulvovaginitis accounts for 25% of all pediatric gynecology consultations.
Objective:
To assess the etiology of vulvovaginitis based on age and Tanner staging of breast development.
Material And Methods:
Descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between January 1st and December 31st, 2011. Patients with vulvovaginitis were assessed based on two outcome measures: age group (GI: 0 to 8.9 years old, GII: 9 to 15.9 years old, and GIII: 16 to 18 years old), and the Tanner staging of breast development (I, II-III, IV-V). Results. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were included, 78 girls in the GI group, 134 in the GII group, and 17 in the GIII group; 81 girls were classified as TI, 36 as TII-III, and 112 as TIV-V based on Tanner staging. Shigella and Oxyuris were the most commonly found etiologic agents in younger girls. Candida albicans, other Candida species, Gardnerella and Ureaplasma urealyticum were the germs most commonly observed in older patients. Oxyuris was predominant in prepubertal girls, while Candida albicans, in postpubertal girls.
Conclusions:
Hormonal influence was more relevant than the patient's age in terms of vulvovaginitis etiology.
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