Ureaplasmas and Mycoplasmas in Vaginal Samples from Prepubertal Girls and the Reasons for Gynecological Consultation

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate vaginal colonization with Ureaplasmaurealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) in prepubertal girls and reason for gynecological consultation. Patients and MethodsAll prepubertal girls sent for consultation for medical issues to a pediatric gynecology department. Vaginal swabs were obtained for culture and were seeded using specific media. Patients colonized with genital mycoplasmas (GMs) were evaluated by a psychologist to rule out sexual abuse (SA). ResultsA total of119 patients were included. The mean age was 5.9 y. Reasons for consultation were vulvovaginitis in 78 (66%), SA before study entry in 19 (16%), labial adhesion in 8 (7%), genital bleeding in 8 (7%), suspected sexual abuse in 3 (3%) and 1 patient was sent for consultation for labial adhesion but had a normal examination (1%), physical neglect in 1 (1%), and genital ulcers in 1 (1%). UU was isolated in 14 (12%) MH was isolated in 3 (3%). UU was isolated in 9 patents (47%) with SA before study entry. Five patients colonized with UU that had consulted for other reasons were evaluated by a pediatric psychologist; 4 disclosed SA. One patient colonized with UU did not disclose SA. Patients with GMs were more likely to disclose sexual abuse (UU P < .0001. MH P < .0065). ConclusionGMs were isolated more in SA cases. Patients colonized with GMs and consulted for other issues than SA were more likely to disclose SA.