Abstract: Background: Children and adolescent people go through many changes as they move from childhood into physical maturity. At this time secondary sexual characteristics develop, menstruation begins and the psychological outlook of the female child changes as she develops a more adult aspect of herself. These periods might be attended by different gynaecological disorders.
Objective: This study was designed to determine the common childhood and adolescent gynaecological disorders that presented at the gynaecologic clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
Method: This was a retrospective study of all cases of childhood and adolescent gynaecologic presentations seen in the gynaecology clinic. Emergency cases seen at the Accident and Emergency clinic were excluded. The study spanned 3 years and 8 months - April 2012 to December 2015. Data was extracted from case notes retrieved from the central records department and analysed.
Results: Children and adolescents constituted 5.4% of the 1,622 new gynaecologic presentations seen during the review period. They presented mainly with menstrual disorders (36.8%), ovarian tumor (11.5%), PID (10.3%), Infertility (6.9%), sexual assault (4.6%), Urethral prolapse (3.4%), and abortion (2.3%). Other disorders such as bartholin cyst, PCOS, galactorrhoea, uterine fibroid, hydatidiformmole, fibroadenoma of breast, vaginal mass, traumatic injury to the perineum and uterovaginal prolapse were also seen.
Conclusion: Gynaecological disorders in children and adolescents constitute a significant number of gynaecological presentations. It is imperative that clinicians acquaint themselves with the pattern of presentation of these disorders and be equipped to treat this patient population with empathy and expertise.
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