[Female genital mutilation: FGM patients treated at the "Umberto I" polyclinic of Rome: 1985-1996]

Abstract

The article deals with the medical aspect regarding female genital mutilations (FGM). The cultural origin of this tradition is also considered. Such a practice lies in the partial or complete excision of the external genitalia: it is highly widespread in Central Africa, especially in Ethiopia and Somalia. Currently, approximately 130,000,000 women are involved worldwide. In Italy, it is estimated that about 30,000 women amongst the immigrant population are involved (1). Due to the increasing immigration of women from Countries with FGM tradition, knowledge of the pathologies related to such a practice has become urgently necessary to physicians of western Countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term complications of FGM, which are severe and often even deadly, as well as the long-term ones, which are more likely to be faced in the clinical practice of a western Country physician. In particular, a sample of nine women who had undergone infibulation, amongst the patients admitted at the Departments of Obstetrics and Ginaecology of university of Rome "La Sapienza" during the period 1 January 1985-31 december 1996, has been analyzed. Five out of these women suffered form gynaecological pathologies, whilst four from obstetrical pathologies. Our data on complications associated with FGM are in agreement with those of the world literature and highlight how a more specific expertise is necessary for a correct health care of these women.