Vaginal bleeding in children: A retrospective audit at a tertiary paediatric gynaecology service

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and investigations of vaginal bleeding in prepubertal children. Methods: We performed a retrospective case series of children under the age of 10 who presented with vaginal bleeding to our institution between 2018 and 2019. Results: There were 32 cases identified during the timeframe, with a mean age of 5.5 years (standard deviation 3.2 years, range 5.5 days to 9.6 years). Vulvovaginitis was the most common diagnosis (n = 12, 37.5%), followed by precocious puberty (n = 5, 15.6%). Uncommon but serious causes were vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and sexual abuse (one patient presenting with gonorrhoea and one with a non-acciden..