Sexually transmitted infections in adolescent girls

Two hundred and ten adolescent girls in residential care with an age range of 12 to 16 years were screened for sexually transmitted infections. The incidences of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis were 13.7%, 16.2%, and 16.0% respectively. Pelvic inflammatory disease was identified in 16.4% of those with C trachomatis or gonococcal infection. The high morbidity from sexually transmitted disease in these adolescent girls reinforces the need for screening similar at risk teenagers.