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.