Sexually transmitted diseases in children: introduction.

Introduction Although sexually transmitted diseases are a major health problem worldwide, there are few data on the incidence and prevalence of these conditions in children and young adolescents. The diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in a child, where this has been confirmed by an evaluated technique, can raise a number of concerns for the clinician. The possibility of sexual abuse should be considered, with its attendant social and medicolegal implications. However, transmission of STDs following sexual abuse must be differentiated from vertical or accidental transmission of the same infection. Close non-sexual physical contact and voluntary sexual activity should also be excluded. This review will consider the historical aspects, epidemiology, routes of transmission, clinical presentation and diagnosis of STDs in children. The individual infections will be covered in detail in subsequent articles.