Voiding dysfunction: another etiology of vulvovaginitis in young girls.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of voiding dysfunction (VD) in patients with persistent vulvovaginitis (PVV), and to evaluate the clinical response of PVV in the treatment of VD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Girls four years or older who consulted for PVV for at least one month and who did not respond to general measures. A physical examination was performed with visual inspection and colposcopy; vaginal samples for culture and vaginoscopy were carried out. On every patient urodynamic studies were performed. Girls who were diagnosed with VD were treated. A pediatric gynecologist did the follow-up; a successful response was considered when inflammatory symptoms and vaginal discharge ceased.

RESULTS: Twenty patients were included, mean age 8.6 years (range: 4.6-14 years); 75% prepubertal symptoms lasted for 1.8 years; 19 (95%) had urodynamia, 10 (52.6%) had an overactive bladder, 8 (42.1%) external bladder sphincter dyssynergia, 1 (5.2%) hypotonic bladder, and 13 (65%) showed improvement.

CONCLUSION: VD is an important cause when considering the etiology of PVV.