The genital examination of the infant through adolescence

The genital examination of the young female is a relatively new procedure for many clinicians. It was not felt important until physicians became involved with the examination of survivors of childhood sexual abuse; from these examinations it is apparent that young females also have a broad array of genital conditions which need clinical evaluation and intervention. This review of the recent literature on the techniques employed by a variety of clinicians demonstrates the limitations placed on our knowledge of pediatric and adolescent gynecologic conditions by technical and psychosocial parameters.