[Sexually transmitted infections in sexually abused children]

The sexually transmitted infection (STI) in an infant can be an early consequence of child sexual abuse (CSA). The risk of acquisition of a STI depends, among others, on the prevalence of these infections in the abusing population and the type of sexual assault. As the detection of sexually transmissible organism can be an unique evidence of CSA, only the best standardized methods should be used for the diagnosis of STIs in children. STIs are seen in less than 10% of abused child and in a half of them are asymptomatic. The relevance of STIs for the diagnosis of CSA should be assessed taking into consideration the age of a child, a type of sexually transmissible organism and its localization. Generally, postnatally acquired gonorrhoea, syphilis and genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a child more than 2-year old are most clinically evident for CSA. Infections with HPV, HIV and HSV can also be important.