Table 8 – STI Treatment Guidelines
Implications of commonly encountered sexually transmitted or sexually associated infections for diagnosis and reporting of sexual abuse among infants and prepubertal children
Infection | Evidence for sexual abuse | Recommended action | |
---|---|---|---|
Gonorrhea* | Diagnostic | Report† | |
Syphilis* | Diagnostic | Report† | |
HIV§ | Diagnostic | Report† | |
Chlamydia trachomatis* | Diagnostic | Report† | |
Trichomonas vaginalis* | Diagnostic | Report† | |
Anogenital herpes | Suspicious | Consider report†,¶ | |
Condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts)* | Suspicious | Consider report†,¶,** | |
Anogenital molluscum contagiosum | Inconclusive | Medical follow-up | |
Bacterial vaginosis | Inconclusive | Medical follow-up |
Sources: Adapted from Kellogg N; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. The evaluation of child abuse in children. Pediatrics 2005;16:506–12; Adams JA, Farst KJ, Kellogg ND. Interpretation of medical findings in suspected child abuse: an update for 2018. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2018;31:225–31.
* If unlikely to have been perinatally acquired and vertical transmission, which is rare, is excluded.
† Reports should be made to the local or state agency mandated to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.
§ If unlikely to have been acquired perinatally or through transfusion.
¶ Unless a clear history of autoinoculation exists.
** Report if evidence exists to suspect abuse, including history, physical examination, or other identified infections. Lesions appearing for the first time in a child aged >5 years are more likely to have been caused by sexual transmission.