Vaginal Leech Infestation
A Rare Cause of vaginal bleeding in children and with Diagnostic Challenge
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69614/ejrh.v13i4.285Keywords:
vaginal leech infestation, chilchildhood vaginal bleedingAbstract
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaginal bleeding during childhood is always abnormal,rare and warrants diagnostic evaluation. Leech bites are a recognized cause of bleeding from any human orifice upon exposure to water which is infested with leeches.The definitive diagnosis relies on meticulous history taking, as well as a judicious examination including speculum examination. A high level of suspicion is necessary to make the diagnosis.
CASE DETAILS: A 3 years old young girl presented with vaginal bleeding of 1 weeks duration on 28/10/2016 to Jimma university Hospital Medical Center,Ethiopia.On examination, she had normal vital signs and blood soaked vulva, there was a dark moving worm in vaginal introits with instillation of saline into the vagina. The leech was removed from the vagina with help of suction tube and She was discharged with good condition on the 2ndpost procedure day.
CONCLUSION: Vaginal leech infestation in children can cause Life-threatening conditions from failure or delay in making the diagnosis and management. In addition, the importance of instillation of saline to vagina not only used for treatment;it can also used for diagnosis in children with intact hymen and where pediatrics speculum is not available.
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