Discharge in a 4-year-old girl: causes, diagnosis and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Absolutely every woman has mucus discharge from the vagina. The secretion is produced by the hormone estrogen. However, it is important to understand that mucus in an adult woman and discharge in a girl at 4 years old are different concepts. In children, the presence of a secret in most cases indicates the development of a pathological process. To prevent complications, the girl should be shown to the doctor as soon as possible. Self-medication in this situation is unacceptable.

Normal vaginal secretions

A small amount of white discharge is not a sign of the development of pathology. Vaginal secretion can be detected at any age, even in infancy. White discharge (if there are very few) is the result of tissue cleansing. This allows you to maintain the normal microflora of the vagina.

What the selection is made of:

• Mucus produced by glands located in the cervix.
• Epithelial cells of the vaginal walls.
• Various microorganisms.
• The formed elements of the blood (in particular, leukocytes).

Thus, vaginal discharge in a girl at 4 years old can be both physiological and pathological. A small amount of white secretion in most cases is a variant of the norm. In other cases, it is customary to talk about the development of a disease in the child's body.

Causes of white discharge

To distinguish a physiological secret from a pathological one, it is necessary to pay attention to its smell and consistency. If the white discharge from a girl at 4 years old looks like cottage cheese, this indicates the presence of candidiasis.

The causative agent of thrush is a fungus of the genus Candida, it is easily transmitted from mother to child during delivery. In addition, the start of the development of pathology can occur against the background of a weakening of the body's defenses or during antibiotic treatment.

If a girl has white discharge at the age of 4, it is necessary to write the baby to the doctor as soon as possible. In addition, it is necessary to exclude the use of pastries and confectionery products. These products create a favorable environment for the reproduction of the fungus.

Causes of green and yellow discharge

In this case, bacterial vulvovaginitis is most often diagnosed. If a girl at 4 years old has yellow-green discharge, there is a specific smell of fish, and the external genitalia turn red, this indicates the presenceof this disease. Another symptom of bacterial vulvovaginitis is itching. The child constantly combs the area of the labia and is almost always naughty during water procedures.

Yellow discharge from a 4 year old girl may indicate:

• Worm infestation.
• Infiltration of dirt into the vagina.
• Inappropriate intimate hygiene product.
• Presence of a foreign object in the vagina.
• Skin irritation caused by wearing synthetic underwear.

Yellow discharge is not uncommon in girls at 4 years old. This is due to the fact that up to 8 years in the microflora of the vagina there are no lactobacilli, whose task is to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

But green discharge in girls at 4 years old (or at 5, 6, etc.) clearly indicates the presence of inflammation. In this case, contact a medical facility as soon as possible.

Causes of red and brown discharge

In this case, the presence of a secret indicates a pronounced inflammatory process. In addition, do not exclude the presence of a foreign body in the vagina. Any movement of it can provoke damage to the mucous membrane and, accordingly, bleeding.

In such cases, it is recommended to call an ambulance. Bleeding of any etiology always requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of purulent discharge

The presence of exudate is not the norm in anywhat circumstances. The most possible causes of purulent discharge in a girl at 4 years old:

• The baby has an inflamed cervix.
• Colpitis.
• Ovarian disease.
• Pathologies of an infectious nature.

If a 4-year-old girl has yellow (or slightly brownish) discharge accompanied by itching, burning, fetid odor and fever, it is necessary to bring the child to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Clinical manifestations

Regardless of the cause, discharge in a girl at 4 years old is always accompanied by vivid symptoms.

The following signs are alarming:

• Bad smell. It may be associated with fish or be offensive.
• Redness of the vulva.
• Itching.
• Burning.
• Irritability and crying during hygiene activities.
• Thick consistency of secretions.
• Rash or sores on the vulva.
• Puffiness of tissues.
• Increased body temperature.

In addition, the child goes to the toilet less often. This is due to the fact that during the act of urination, discomfort increases significantly.

Who to contact

If you experience alarming symptoms, you need to make an appointment with a pediatric gynecologist. In some institutions, you must first contact a pediatrician and issue an appropriate referral from him.

Diagnosis

During the initial appointment, a pediatric gynecologistmust take an anamnesis. The doctor needs to provide information about what symptoms bother the child, how long ago they appeared and what their severity is.

After that, the doctor conducts an external examination. The gynecologist evaluates the condition of the skin and mucous membranes of the external genital organs. In addition, it checks for foreign objects inside. The examination is not accompanied by pain, it is significantly different from that performed in adult women.

At this stage, it is quite difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. In this regard, the doctor draws up a referral for a comprehensive diagnosis, including the following studies:

• Clinical blood test.
• Coprogram.
• Vaginal discharge analysis.
• Urine examination.
• A blood test for hormones.
• Research of liquid connective tissue by PCR to detect antibodies to the pathogen. Blood is taken from a vein.

Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor makes the most effective treatment regimen.

Medicated treatment

The gynecologist prescribes drugs only after studying the conclusion of a comprehensive examination. The treatment regimen directly depends on what pathology caused the appearance of discharge in a girl at 4 years old. Possible therapy options are described in the table below.

Reason	Treatment
Candidiasis	Reception and external use of antifungal drugs based on nystatin orcortisone, dieting
Bacterial vulvovaginitis	Taking antibiotics and vitamins, using suppositories, topical application of antibacterial ointments, baths to relieve itching and burning
Inflammation of the ovaries	Taking antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, bed rest

If the cause of inflammation is the active vital activity of viruses, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. If worms are found, anthelmintic drugs are indicated. In this case, treatment should be carried out by all family members. Correction of the hormonal background is carried out with the help of glucocorticosteroids. In addition, compliance with a hypoallergenic diet is shown. If a foreign object has become the cause of inflammation, it is removed.

Consequences

If a mother notices a discharge on a 4-year-old girl's underpants, she needs to show the child to a gynecologist as soon as possible. With timely treatment to the doctor, the prognosis is favorable. Ignoring the pathological condition or uncontrolled intake / local use of medicines leads to negative consequences.

Possible complications:

• The transition of the disease into a chronic form.
• Frequent occurrence of inflammation.
• Violation of the menstrual cycle in the future.
• The occurrence of various pathologies of the reproductive system.
• Development of bleeding during adult pregnancy.

Thus, ignore the discharge of a girl at 4 years oldinvalid.

Folk methods

It is important to understand that the use of non-traditional methods cannot be considered as the main treatment. Turning to traditional medicine is allowed only for the purpose of stopping unpleasant symptoms before visiting a pediatric gynecologist.

You can relieve itching, burning and the severity of the inflammatory process using the following means:

• Decoction based on oak bark. Take 2 tbsp. l. pre-dried and crushed raw materials and pour it with 300 ml of hot water. Put the container on fire. Simmer for 15 minutes. Cool, strain. Wash the external genital organs with the resulting decoction after washing. Due to the presence of tannins in the healing liquid, the intensity of itching and burning decreases after the first procedure.
• Decoction based on chamomile. Take 1 tbsp. l. dried and crushed raw materials, pour 250 ml of boiling water over it. Put the container on fire. Simmer for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. The resulting decoction can also be washed with the external genitalia or added to a bath with running water. Chamomile has not only soothing, but also antibacterial properties.
• Baths with honey. According to reviews, bee products help to stop the inflammatory process in a short time. To prepare a healing agent, you need to take 100 g of honey and dissolve it in 1 liter of warm water. Sitz baths can be taken 2 times a day.

It is important to remember that any medicinal plants and bee products are potential allergens. Atthe appearance of signs of an undesirable reaction, treatment with folk remedies must be completed. It should also be remembered that it is necessary to show the child to the doctor as soon as possible in order to prevent the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

Doctors' recommendations

To speed up the healing process or prevent the appearance of pathological discharge, a number of important conditions must be observed.

Doctors advice for parents:

• Wash your child's hands thoroughly with soap and water after walking and going to the toilet.
• Children's clothes should always be washed separately from adults. You can use laundry soap or hypoallergenic powder.
• Instill a he althy lifestyle in your child, preferably by example. The baby's diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Wash the girl daily. In this case, the movements should be from front to back. Compliance with this condition prevents the penetration of bacterial flora from the intestines into the vagina.
• Wash your child with age-appropriate products. Use soap only when absolutely necessary. This is because the alkali contained in it destroys the lipid layer, whose task is to protect the skin.
• Do not use washcloths. These products, again, destroy the lipid layer and irritate the skin. It is recommended to purchase a soft sponge and wash the child with gentle movements.
• After washing, do not rub the genitalsbabies with a towel. It is enough just to get wet so that excess moisture is absorbed. Hard towels, coupled with aggressive manipulation, have an extremely negative effect on the he alth of the child.
• Underwear should be changed daily or more often (as it gets dirty). During the treatment period, doctors recommend doing this 2-3 times a day. In addition, underwear should be made of cotton fabric. Not only girls, but also adult women should not wear synthetic products.

In addition, it is important to treat all identified pathologies in a timely manner. If you experience any warning signs, you should consult your doctor.

In closing

Discharge from a 4-year-old girl (white, yellow, green, etc.) indicates the development of an inflammatory process in her body. However, it is rarely asymptomatic. Most often, inflammation is accompanied by burning and severe itching, the intensity of which increases during the act of urination. Ignoring pathological secretions leads to various kinds of negative consequences that can significantly worsen the quality of life in the future.