Child sexual abuse examination: is there a need for routine screening for N gonorrhoeae and C trachomatis?
Simmons, K.J.; Hicks, D.J.
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 18(5): 343-345
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1083-3188 PMID: 16202938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2005.06.006Document Number: 256778
To determine the yield of routine vaginal cultures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis from girls evaluated following sexual abuse. Retrospective chart review evaluating results of cultures that were obtained from 2008 prepubertal girls seen within 72 hours following an assault over two periods of 3 years each. It was found that only 16 (0.8%) of cultures were positive for either gonorrhea or chlamydia. All but one of the prepubertal girls who had positive vaginal cultures for sexually transmitted disease had signs of acute vulvovaginitis. Routine vaginal cultures in asymptomatic pre-pubertal girls have a very low yield. Prospective studies are required to change current protocols for the evaluation of child victims of sexual abuse.
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