SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED ORGANISMS IN SEXUALLY ABUSED-CHILDREN

Objective-To establish the prevalence of sexually transmitted organism s and other genital organisms in potentially sexually abused children. Design-Prospective study of children attending an inner London depart ment of community paediatrics for evaluation of possible sexual abuse. Subjects-Children under 16 referred for evaluation of possible sexual abuse. Outcome measures-Prevalence of sexually transmitted organisms in relation to age, symptoms, and type of abuse. Results-Swabs were ta ken from 159 of 242 girls evaluated. The overall prevalence of sexuall y transmitted organisms was 3.7%: three girls were infected with gonor rhoea, four with Trichomonas vaginalis, and two with Chlamydia trachom atis. One girl had all three infections plus mycoplasmas. Mycoplasmas were identified in 22% of girls swabbed. Of 30 boys swabbed, none yiel ded a sexually transmitted organism. Conclusions-There is a low preval ence of definitely sexually transmitted organisms in children who migh t have been abused. Other organisms possibly associated with sexual ac tivity can be identified in this population. Screening for infection s hould be mandatory in presumed sexually abused girls with vaginal disc harge and ideally should be undertaken in all children attending for e valuation of sexual abuse.