Advertisement

Genital Problems in Infants (Female)

Any deformity or change in the genitals is of obvious concern to parents. Yet many of these changes can be corrected. Follow this chart for more information.

Step 2

Answering Questions

  • Does your infant (<1 year) daughter have a thick discharge or bleeding from the vaginal opening more than 1 week after birth?

  • Is it difficult to tell the sex of your infant at birth or shortly thereafter?

  • Does your daughter have some vaginal bleeding and/or white-colored discharge within the first one to two days after being born?

Step 3

Possible Causes

  • Diagnosis

    This may be related to an INFECTION in the vagina or in the bladder. Rarely, a TUMOR or TEAR of the vaginal soft tissues will cause bleeding.


    Self Care

    See your child’s doctor.


  • Diagnosis

    AMBIGUOUS GENITALIA is a birth defect in which the genitals are not well-formed and are difficult to identify.


    Self Care

    Your child’s doctor may perform some tests to identify the sex of your baby. Treatment may include hormone replacement therapy or surgery.


  • Diagnosis

    This is a normal response. Your daughter was exposed to her mother’s hormones during pregnancy, and when they were suddenly “stopped” at birth, the body will often have some vaginal bleeding or a thickened discharge for 1-2 days.


    Self Care

    Nothing needs to be done other than continuing to clean your baby girl with each diaper change as you normally would.


  • Self Care

    For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.


Advertisement

Family Doctor Logo American Academy of Family Physicians Logo

Advertisement