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Genital Lesions in A Female Child: Approach To The Diagnosis
Genital Lesions in A Female Child: Approach To The Diagnosis
137]
Review Article
Abstract Bhakthavatsalam
Genital lesions in a female child cause a lot of apprehension in the parents. Hence, thorough Anitha, Ragunatha
knowledge and proper approach to the diagnosis is very important. The aim of this article is to Shivanna1
present an overview of the pattern of diseases affecting genitalia in a female child, significance of
Department of Dermatology, St.
these diseases, and an approach to the diagnosis of these diseases. Most of these vulval dermatoses
Theresa Hospital, 1Department
present with one of the four clinical scenarios such as pruritus with/without lesions, pain with/without of Dermatology, Venereology
lesions, discharge with/without lesions, and asymptomatic lesions. The approach to the diagnosis has and Leprosy, ESIC Medical
been discussed accordingly. Diseases such as genital warts and genital herpes which are not common College and PGIMSR,
in this age group always raise the suspicion of child sexual abuse. There are certain adult vulval Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
dermatoses such as chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis, which are not seen in prepubertal group.
essential which can be achieved by gently spreading labia Table 1: Classification of vulval dermatoses
majora laterally and dorsally with some pressure against Inflammatory disorders
the perineum.[2] Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis
Classification of vulval dermatoses Psoriasis
Lichen sclerosus
A wide variety of skin diseases affect genital region in Vitiligo
a female child. These diseases can be classified based Infections and infestations
on etiological factors [Table 1]. However, these vulval Streptococcal vulvovaginitis
dermatoses present with one of the following clinical Staphylococcal folliculitis, impetigo, SSSS
scenarios: MC, genital herpes, genital warts, HFMD
1. Pruritus with/without lesions Scabies and helminthic infestations
2. Pain with/without lesions Tinea, candidiasis
3. Discharge with/without lesions Blisters and ulcers
4. Asymptomatic lesions. Bullous pemphigoid, CBDC
Aphthous ulcers
Clinical Scenario 1: Pruritus with/without Skin Fixed drug eruptions
Lesions EM, SJS, and TEN
Birthmarks and vascular malformations
Pruritus without skin lesions
Pigmentary nevi, epidermal nevi
Pruritus without skin lesions is a challenging situation for Capillary malformations, hemangiomas
both doctor and the parents. The various causes for this Anatomical abnormalities
condition are as follows. Fusion of labia
Pyramidal perineal protrusion
Irritant reaction
Neoplasias
Prolonged contact with irritants such as detergents, Langerhans cell histiocytosis
chemicals, clothes, or discharge can initially present with Melanoma
only symptoms such as pruritus without any dermatitis. Granular cell tumor of vulva
Proper history taking gives clue to the diagnosis. It is very Syringoma
important to identify the irritants and avoid them. Vulval signs of systemic disease
Crohn’s disease
Pinworm infestation Zinc deficiency
Children with pinworm infestation develop itching in Trauma
the perineal region which is worse at bedtime when the Foreign body
worms crawl upon the skin surface to lay eggs. Pruritus Child sexual abuse
may be associated with thin watery vaginal discharge. SSSS: Staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome, HFMD: Hand, foot,
Stool examination with evidence of pinworms confirms the and mouth disease, MC: Molluscum contagiosum, CBDC: Chronic
bullous disease of childhood, SJS: Steven‑Johnson syndrome,
diagnosis.
TEN: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, EM: Erythema multiforme
Foreign body
Children generally insert small objects into the ears and seen in children, especially atopic. Prolonged contact
nose. Likewise, they can insert them into vagina as well. with irritants such as feces or prolonged contact with
Foreign body in the vagina can lead to itching or pain or wet clothes, poor hygiene habits such as wiping the
vaginal discharge. Careful examination of the vagina in perineal area from back to front, and excess use of
appropriate position will reveal the foreign body. Common soaps and detergents cause irritant contact dermatitis.
objects that are inserted are beads, crayons, ball of paper, Allergic contact dermatitis is unusual in children
and seeds. because they are exposed to less potential allergens.
The clinical presentation of contact dermatitis is
Pruritus with skin lesions ill‑demarcated erythema associated with pruritus
Pruritus may be associated with lesions such as erythema, predominantly involving convexities [Figure 1]. In
leukoderma, blisters, and erosions or papules and nodules chronic cases, labia majora becomes scaly and rugose
[Flow Chart 1]. due to lichenification [Figure 2]. The rash often involves
thighs, buttocks, and lower abdominal folds
Pruritus with erythema
• Psoriasis: Vulval psoriasis is more common in children
The following vulval conditions manifest as erythema than in adults. The onset may be at any age from infancy
associated with pruritus: onward. Vulva could be the site of onset in infantile
• Contact dermatitis: It is a very common vulval problem psoriasis occurring as diaper psoriasis [Figure 3].
common presenting symptoms are itching and soreness. Pruritus with papules and nodules
Other symptoms are bleeding, dysuria, and constipation.
Scabetic nodules are often seen on the vulva and groin, but
The typical clinical appearance is well‑demarcated white,
usually it is part of a generalized eruption. Positive family
wrinkled plaque with scattered telangiectasia [Figure 6].
history makes the diagnosis easy. Papular urticaria could be
When it extends to involve anus, classical figure‑of‑eight
another possibility for papules on the vulva.
appearance is seen. In neglected long‑standing case, there
can be total loss of labia minora and resorption of the Clinical Scenario 2: Pain with/without Skin
clitoris. Lichen sclerosus usually resolves at puberty but may
Lesions
recur in adulthood with the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy. In children, Pain with skin lesions
noninvasive procedure such as dermatoscopy is preferred.
Pain in genital area may be associated with skin lesions
Dermatoscopic features of lichen sclerosus are structure‑less
such as blisters and erosions, ulcers, pustules, and
areas, telangiectasia, and comedo‑like openings.
pigmentary changes such as erythema and leukoderma
Pruritus with blisters and erosions [Flow Chart 2].
Bullous pemphigoid and chronic bullous disease of Blisters and erosions
childhood can occur on vulva rarely, but vulva could be
Bacterial infections, herpes genitalis, Steven–Johnson
the site of onset. Bullous pemphigoid presents with tense
bullae, and chronic bullous disease of childhood has an syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
eczematous appearance and string of pearl distribution of are some of the conditions which present with blisters
blisters. and erosions in the vulval and perineal regions. Bacterial
Figure 3: Glazed erythematous scaly patch involving vulva and crural region Figure 4: Well-demarcated scaly plaques involving vulva and adjacent
along with postinflammatory hypopigmentation seen in diaper psoriasis region seen in psoriasis
b
Figure 5: (a) Erythematous annular papules with central clearing on mons Figure 6: Atrophic depigmented patch involving vulva and perineal region
pubis, (b) similar lesion on buttock in the same patient seen in lichen sclerosus
Aphthous Folliculitis/Furuncle
Behcet’s
Flow Chart 2: Approach to genital lesions with pain. FDE: Fixed drug eruption, HSV: Herpes simplex virus infection, LSEA: Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus,
SJS: Steven–Johnson syndrome, SSSS: Staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome, TEN: Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Vaginal Discharge
Streptococcal No Yes
Vulvovaginitis
Asymptomatic lesions
Skin color pearly white Leucoderma Brown HFMD Red Skin color
Figure 11: Well-demarcated red plaque with nodular surface on labia majora
seen in hemangioma