Genital findings in sexually abused prepubertal girls

Abstract

Genital findings in sexually abused prepubertal girls. Childhood sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate the social taboos of family roles. Essential to the diagnosis of sexual abuse is an awareness of the problem and acknowledgement of its manifestations. The evaluation of the sexually abused girl usually is performed in a pediatric and adolescent gynecology outpatient department. Thus, the gynecologist will be part of a multidisciplinary approach to the problem and will need to be competent in the basic skills of history taking, physical examination, selection of laboratory tests und differential diagnosis. Findings secondary to sexual abuse are often subtle. Acute tears or bruisings are rare, because force is seldom part of sexual acts committed against a child. A vaginal opening of greater than 5 mm is not common and may indicate vaginal penetration. An intact hymen not necessarily exclude vaginal intercourse. Lack of physical evidence never rules out abuse because sexual acts may leave no physical findings.