J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Sep;38(37):e279. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e279.

Clinical Characteristics of Gynecologic Problems During Childhood in the Korean Population

• Choi H
• Kim SE
• Lee NH
• Lee DY
• Choi D

• KMID: 2546198
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e279

Abstract

Background
This study analyzed common gynecologic problems among Korean patients younger than ten years.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients younger than ten years who visited the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Clinic at Samsung Medical Center between 1995 and 2020.
Results
Among the 6,605 patients who visited the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Clinic, data from 642 patients younger than ten years were analyzed in this study. The most common chief complaint was genital anomalies, followed by increased vaginal discharge and abnormal findings on clinical examinations. The most common disease entity was agglutination of the labia minora, which was commonly discovered incidentally during routine screenings. Vulvovaginitis, the second most common disease, was identified by symptoms of vaginal discharge, pruritus, and vaginal spotting. Neoplasm, issues with vaginal bleeding, and “other causes” were additional categories of gynecologic problems. 245 patients (38.2%) were referred from primary care sources, 175 patients (27.4%) sought care directly at the clinic, 169 patients (26.3%) were referrals from the institution’s pediatric department, and the remainder were referrals from other departments.
Conclusion
This study provides information about the gynecologic problems most frequently encountered in pediatric patients. The study provides helpful insight for primary care physicians into the proper management and timing of referrals for these gynecologic problems of pediatric patients.

Keyword

Pediatric; Adolescents; Gynecology; Outpatients

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Chief complaints of pediatric patients who visited the pediatric and adolescent gynecologic clinic.

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  Fig. 2 Numbers of patients by disease category.

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  Fig. 3 Categorization of referrals to the pediatric and adolescent gynecologic clinic.PED = pediatric emergency department, URO = urology, ER = emergency room.

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