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.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
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.
