Uterovaginal prolapse following suspected sexual abuse to a child: a case report

• Main Authors: Odion-Obomhense Kesiena Helen, Ntaji Maureen Iru, Ekpebe Patrick Akpofure, Afeyodion Akhator
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2021-09-01
• Series: Annals of Pediatric Surgery
• Subjects: Uterovaginal prolapse; Child; Sexual abuse; Case report
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43159-021-00105-8

Abstract Background Uterovaginal prolapse occurs when damaged connective tissues allow the uterus to drop into the vagina. Rare in children, uterovaginal prolapse can occur as a result of violent sexual assault. This case is being reported because there has been no previous report of acquired pelvic organ prolapse following trauma suspected to be sexual abuse in a child in our setting. Case presentation Two-year-old female presented to our hospital with a 3-day history of abnormal protrusion from the vagina and a 2-day history of bleeding per vagina. Traumatic rupture of the hymen was observed. The urethra was not edematous or hyperemic. The reduction was done successfully under sedation and maintained using a crepe bandage. There was no recurrence after 3-month follow-up. Conclusions Uterovaginal prolapse presenting among children below 5 years is rare. If bleeding per vagina is reported in a child, the clinician should be aware of the possibility of uterovaginal prolapse.