General Medical Information

Vulvovaginitis

Michele D. Wilson

Vulvovaginitis is the most common gynecologic problem in prepubertal girls. Several physiologic factors contribute to the child’s increased susceptibility to vulvovaginitis. A pubertal female has physical barriers that help to prevent infection. In contrast, the young girl lacks labial fat pads, she has no pubic hair, and the labia minora are relatively small. In addition, the proximity of the rectum to the vagina permits easy fecal contamination of the vagina. All of these factors combined with suboptimal hygiene, which is common among young children, result in decreased protection of the vulva and vagina.