Vulvar pain in infants

Introduction Clinical manifestations of infantile vulvitis: vulvar pain, itching, and increased secretions. Due to physiological characteristics, infantile vulvitis is different from adult in terms of etiology, performance, consequences and treatment.

Cause

The cause of vulvar pain in infants and young children:

Within 15 days of birth, the vaginal mucus showed a significant acidic reaction with a pH of about 5.5. After that, the pH increased and became neutral or alkaline. When the baby girl is born, the vagina remains sterile. Within a few days before and after delivery, the vaginal epithelium is similar to the adult level due to the high estrogen of the mother. The vaginal pH is 4.2 to 4.5. After 3 days, the cell population is All consist of vaginal bacilli. In about 15 days, vaginal bacilli. The vaginal epithelium maintains low hormone levels to puberty. Infants and young children wear open pants, if you do not pay attention to hygiene, it is easy to pollute. If the baby diaper is not replaced in time, the stool will be irritated and cause skin infection.

an examination

Related inspection

Skin damage infant health check

Examination and diagnosis of infantile vulvar pain:

Vulvar pain, itching, and increased secretions. The vulva, clitoris, urethra and vaginal mucosa are hyperemia, edema, and purulent secretions. There are often purulent dryness on the underpants, or traces of watery appearance, redness, edema, and even skin peeling. Localized local scratches, bleeding and other phenomena. The labia minora adheres and the urine flow becomes fine. Check that the place where the labia minora adheres is thinner and more translucent.

Clinical manifestations: Large children can report vulvar pain, itching, and increased secretions. Infants and young children are often crying because of local pain. The vulva, clitoris, urethra and vaginal mucosa are hyperemia, edema, and purulent secretions.

Differential diagnosis

Symptoms of vaginal pain in infants and young children:

(1) Non-specific vulvitis: stimulating physical and chemical factors in life, not paying attention to hygiene, physical weakness, can cause women's genital area to be infested by bacteria, causing vulvitis, such as cervical and vaginal inflammation; or wearing airtight nylon underwear to make the vagina Excessive secretions, irritating the vulva; urine impregnated vulva; use of dirty sanitary napkins, toilet paper to cause infection of the vulva. These factors will create conditions for the growth and reproduction of bacteria in the genital area. However, because this vulvitis is not caused by specific pathogens, but mostly mixed infections such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and coli, it is called non-specific vulvitis.

(2) Fungal vulvitis: vulvitis caused by infection with a yeast-like type. Often coexist with fungal vaginitis.

(3) acute vulvar ulcer: caused by vulvitis of various reasons, generally a manifestation of vulvitis lesions.

(4) vestibular gland inflammation: more common in women of childbearing age. It is because the vestibular gland is infected by bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, etc., causing acute inflammation. Vestibular gland cysts: due to the long-term existence of chronic inflammation, obstruction of the vestibular gland duct, accumulation of glandular fluid, cystic dilatation of the gland; or due to the absorption of pus after the acute vestibular gland inflammation subsided. The vestibular gland cyst and the vestibular gland abscess can transform each other.

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