Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

An Unusual Presentation of Syphilis in the Context of Child Sexual Abuse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A 13-year-old presented with a genital lesion, which helped in guiding a diagnosis of child sexual abuse. The patient disclosed unprotected penile-vaginal penetration by a 20-year-old male neighbor. On exam, her left labia minora had a single 2-cm hypopigmented fleshy non-tender mass, and laboratory studies revealed positive Treponemal IgG IgM antibody (>8) and rapid plasma reagin titer of 1:128, indicating syphilis infection. Given the resolution of the labial mass with treatment of syphilis, this lesion was most consistent with condyloma lata. Genital exams are an important component of pediatric evaluations. Condyloma lata can vary in appearance (papules, nodules, or wart-like lesions) and color and may present as a single lesion or multiple lesions. Our patient had one 2-cm lesion, and therefore, clinicians should assume that an anogenital lesion is condyloma lata in the setting of positive syphilis testing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-212
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2024
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Child abuse pediatrics
  • Condyloma lata
  • Infectious disease
  • Syphilis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An Unusual Presentation of Syphilis in the Context of Child Sexual Abuse'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this