Vaginal inspection as it relates to child sexual abuse in girls under thirteen

Abstract

Inclusion of vaginal inspection in all physical examinations resulted in doubling identification of cases of child sexual abuse. Forty-five of 247 girls under 13 years of age were admitted because sexual abuse had been reported. Of the 202 girls not suspected, 45 additional cases of sexual abuse were discovered by suspicious findings on vaginal inspection. The horizontal diameter of the vaginal opening exceeding 4 mm correlated in three of four instances with a confirming history for past sexual abuse. It is recommended that physical examination of young girls routinely include inspection of the vaginal opening. Pediatric caregivers need to teach themselves the parameters of the normal to protect those children who are suffering sexual abuse in their environment.