This covers problems in pre pubertal girls.
Vulvovaginitis is a common problem in young, pre pubertal girls – symptoms include:
- Redness, sore vulva
- Complaining of an itch in the vulval area
- Pain and discomfort (of the skin) when passing urine; urine dipstick may show 1+ or 2+ blood which may have come from skin rather than higher up the urinary tract.
Perineal swabs are rarely useful in these girls, unless there is significant vaginal discharge.
White/yellow, non-offensive vaginal discharge is normal in young girls and increases as they become oestrogenised, often with cyclical variation.
If there are systemic symptoms, such as fever, abdominal pain or vomiting, consider other diagnoses and ensure a urine sample is taken to exclude urinary tract infection (UTI). There is a separate information sheet for UTIs.