Return-path: [log in to unmask] From: [log in to unmask] Full-name: LoganPeds Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 20:56:00 EDT Subject: recurrent vaginal redness To: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 9 Recurrant vaginal redness can be due to a number of factors: 1) irritation from bubble bath, wet bathing suits, fabric softener in underwear, etc. 2) yeast, but this is uncommon in prepubertal females, since the vaginal pH is less hospitable to yeast than in postpubertal females. 3) diabetes (can be an early sign) 4) urinary tract infection (needs to be ruled out in ALL cases of vaginal irritation) 5) pinworms (check for nighttime itching) 6) foreign body in the vagina (toilet paper, toys, etc.)--may also be the result of molest. 7) and especially, child abuse/molestation (I've seen many kids in which recurrant vaginal irritation was a recurrant complaint who were being molested; you have to rule this out.) If there is a vaginal discharge, a vaginal culture, urinalysis/urine culture, and good genital exam are mandatory, as well as a sensitive questioning about molest. Linda L Shaw MD FAAP Altoona PA