Vulvar Synechiae in Baby Girls

Vulvar synechiae in girls is a condition in which the labia minora of the vulva join together, causing partial closure of the vaginal cavity due to the scar that develops where the labia join. The exact cause of this condition is unknown; however, it has been possible to relate that a lack of hygiene, inflammation due to, for example, diaper rash , or low estrogen levels, can favor the appearance of vulvar synechiae in girls.

This condition is most common in girls under two years of age, although it can occur from 6 months to 6 years of age. Keep in mind that low estrogen levels are characteristic of this age group, and most girls do not have symptoms, so most of the time it does not require treatment.

Vulvar synechiae in girls are mostly partial, so they do not affect urine output; being partial, there is a space through which urine can escape.

All about Vulvar Synechiae in Girls

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Alert

If your baby has pain in the genital area, frequent urinary tract infections or fever, it is important to see a doctor. Generally, vulvar synechiae in girls do not present any symptoms beyond the union of the labia minora, therefore, no medical treatment is necessary, since, with the passage of time and when the girl begins to move, the synechiae will treat themselves.

Check-ups with the pediatrician are  very important, because during routine check-ups the health professional will be able to identify whether the baby has vulvar synechiae. In any case, it is not something that parents should be alarmed about, but it is something to monitor in case an infection occurs.

For treatment, it is important to determine the three types of cases that may occur, as we mentioned before: if the baby does not have symptoms, she does not need treatment; if she has any of the above symptoms, you should immediately consult with the pediatrician to treat the infection.

And the third case is that the girl grows to the stage before puberty and her labia minora are still partially closed, the treatment changes, either with surgery or with the topical use of corticosteroids, in this case, the pediatrician will be in charge of determining the best treatment.

These cases are very rare. Normally, when girls start walking, moving on their own, for example, riding a bicycle, these vulvar synechiae separate on their own. In any case, if you notice that your baby has vulvar synechiae, consult your pediatrician as soon as possible.

Prevention

Prevention of both the appearance of vulvar synechiae and severe symptoms basically lies in good hygiene with our daughter in her genital area. There are several recommendations to keep in mind; for example, it is important that the diaper is always dry, even if she only urinated, it is essential to change the diaper as soon as possible.

Why? Because wet diapers promote the appearance of irritations such as diaper rash; and in the case of vulvar synechiae in girls, it can promote the appearance of infections because it is not possible to clean properly.

Another very important recommendation that we should make, teach our daughters and do ourselves, is to clean from the vagina to the bottom, not the other way around. This way, we avoid intentionally dragging fecal remains from the anus to the vulva.

And a third piece of advice is to try to avoid wet wipes as much as possible, as constant use can cause irritation, especially if the baby has very delicate skin. In these cases, it is recommended to clean the area thoroughly with warm water, soft sponges and baby soap.