Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent

Pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the most serious complications of sexually transmitted diseases. It is a medical and public health problem of great magnitude, and adolescents are at greater risk for its development than any other age group. Its sequelae of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and dyspareunia may have a devastating impact upon a teenager's life. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, and management and prevention of this clinical syndrome are presented.