Lesson of the week: Child sexual abuse enquiries and unrecognised vulval lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
Date
1999
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Publisher
BMJ : British Medical Journal
Abstract
Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in young girls can present as haemorrhagic areas on the vulva. Failure to consider this diagnosis and to treat the condition appropriately may lead to a misdiagnosis of child sexual abuse, resulting in a lengthy and distressing investigation for all concerned, particularly the parents. There was extensive publicity surrounding these issues in the United Kingdom after events in Cleveland in 1987. We present three patients with lichen sclerosis et atrophicus. In each case, investigations into child sexual abuse had been instigated before an appropriate referral and correct diagnosis were made. (Author Abstract)
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Keywords
child abuse, diagnosis, signs, case studies, International Resources, United Kingdom
Citation
Wood, P. L., & Bevan, T. (1999). Lesson of the week child sexual abuse enquiries and unrecognised vulval lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 319(7214), 899-900.