UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Vaginal Bleeding in Prepubescent Girls

Posted: 10/30/2009 by Rose Chasm, MD (Updated: 11/22/2024)
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comprehensive history and thorough external genital exam (often without direct visualization of the cervix) will lead to appropriate diagnosis
estrogen withdrawal following birth or ingestion of oral contraceptives
vaginal foreign bodies (such as toilet paper, small toys)
bacterial infections (strep and shigella)
trauma from sexual abuse or straddle injuries
vascular lesions such as hemangiomas
be careful to differentiate urethral bleeding from vaginal bleeding

References

Emans SJ, Laufer MR, Goldstein DP. Vulvovaginal problems in teh prepubertal child. In: Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven; 1998:75-107