STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cases of vulvovaginitis treated in our institutions. DESIGN: Follow-up of 1,778 cases of vulvovaginitis to investigate the prevalence of various pathogens involved in the disease. SETTING: Divisions of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, university hospitals of Crete and Athens, Greece. PARTICIPANTS: Girls 1-18 years old seen at the clinics of the above institutions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaginal culture, cytology, and vaginoscopy. RESULTS: Vulvovaginitis was encountered in 61.8% of the gynecological problems seen during childhood and adolescence. Infections were usually located in both the vulva and the vagina (56.9%). The main symptoms were vaginal discharge (53%), erythema (33%), and pruritus (27%). Candida spp (23.0%), beta-hemolytic Streptococci group B (15.0%), and Enterococci spp (10.0%) were the most frequent pathogens involved in the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Vulvovaginitis is a common disease during childhood and adolescence. Effective treatment, reassurance, and appropriate consultation based on the prevention of relapses are the most important steps for the management of the disease.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cases of vulvovaginitis treated in our institutions. DESIGN: Follow-up of 1,778 cases of vulvovaginitis to investigate the prevalence of various pathogens involved in the disease. SETTING: Divisions of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, university hospitals of Crete and Athens, Greece. PARTICIPANTS: Girls 1-18 years old seen at the clinics of the above institutions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaginal culture, cytology, and vaginoscopy. RESULTS:Vulvovaginitis was encountered in 61.8% of the gynecological problems seen during childhood and adolescence. Infections were usually located in both the vulva and the vagina (56.9%). The main symptoms were vaginal discharge (53%), erythema (33%), and pruritus (27%). Candida spp (23.0%), beta-hemolytic Streptococci group B (15.0%), and Enterococci spp (10.0%) were the most frequent pathogens involved in the disease. CONCLUSIONS:Vulvovaginitis is a common disease during childhood and adolescence. Effective treatment, reassurance, and appropriate consultation based on the prevention of relapses are the most important steps for the management of the disease.