UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Pediatric Genital Foreign Bodies

Category: Pediatrics

Keywords: Pediatric, Genital, Foreign Body (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/18/2009 by Reginald Brown, MD (Updated: 11/22/2024)
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4-5% of Prepubertal Vaginal Complaints are the result of foreign body.
Vaginal bleeding is the most sensitive (93%), and specific (82%)
Discharge usually foul-smelling is only seen in 18% of patients
Undiagnosed symptoms may be chronic, (case reports lasting years).
Complications of delayed removal include infection, toxic shock syndrome, fistulas, adhesions and even infertility
Exam in knee chest position, and removal with irrigation or tissue forceps.
Failure to remove FB may require exam under anesthesia.

Di Meglio. "Genital Foreign Bodies," Pediatrics in Review. 1998; (19) 34.
Paradise, J. Willis, E. Probability of Vaginal Foreign Body in Girls with Genital Complaints, MD; Am J Dis Child. 1985;139(5):472-476