The prevalence rate of Chlamydia trachomatis in the vagina of prepubertal sexually abused children was examined. Additionally, the culture technique was compared to direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) for diagnosing chlamydial infections in the vaginas of prepubertal children. The study group included 50 consecutive prepubertal girls examined for sexual abuse in an urban pediatric hospital's emergency room. Vaginal swabs were obtained for culture and direct immunofluorescence assay of C trachomatis and for gonorrhea culture. of these, 8/47 (17%) of the Chlamydia cultures, 4/43 (9.3%) of the direct immunofluorescence assay specimens, and 0/49 gonorrhea cultures were positive for Chlamydia. All patients with positive findings by direct immunofluorescence assay also had positive chlamydial cultures. Of the four other patients with positive cultures for Chlamydia, two had negative findings by direct immunofluorescence assay and two had inconclusive results reported. Twenty-nine patients had a syphilis serologic study performed, and all had negative results. There was no significant difference between the Chlamydia-positive and -negative groups with regards to age, race, nature of the abuse, frequency of abuse, and symptoms or findings on physical examination. Although not statistically significant, children with cultures positive for C trachomatis reported rectal penetration five times and vaginal penetration twice as often as those children with C trachomatis-negative results. This study demonstrates a significant prevalence of vaginal chlamydial infections in sexually abused children. Vaginal cultures for C trachomatis should be included in the medical evaluation of sexually abused girls. The culture technique was superior to the direct immunofluorescence assay in this group of patients.
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February 1987
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February 01 1987
Vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis Prevalence in Sexually Abused Prepubertal Girls
Carlos Daniel Fuster;
Carlos Daniel Fuster
From the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, Department of Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles
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Lawrence S. Neinstein
Lawrence S. Neinstein
From the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, Department of Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles
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Pediatrics (1987) 79 (2): 235–238.
Article history
Received:
January 27 1986
Accepted:
April 25 1986
Citation
Carlos Daniel Fuster, Lawrence S. Neinstein; Vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis Prevalence in Sexually Abused Prepubertal Girls. Pediatrics February 1987; 79 (2): 235–238. 10.1542/peds.79.2.235
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