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Fused labia: a paediatric approach

^1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandras Hospital, Athens, Greece
^2. University College Hospital, London WC1E 6AU, UK Email: sarah.creighton{at}uclh.nhs.uk (corresponding author)

Key content:

• Labial fusion is common among prepubertal girls.
  
• In the majority of cases it is asymptomatic and should not be treated.
  
• In symptomatic children, initial treatment with local estrogen is advised. Surgical treatment should be avoided if at all possible and considered only as a last resort.
  
• Recurrence rates are high. The condition resolves with the onset of puberty.
  

Learning objectives:

• To learn how to diagnose labial adhesions.
  
• To be able to reassure parents that the condition is self-limiting and benign.
  
• To know the treatment modalities available for symptomatic children.
  

Ethical issues:

• There is no evidence that child sexual abuse causes labial adhesions, however, if the presentation is atypical or there are other concerns, advice should be sought from the lead professional for child protection in the organisation or Trust.
  

Please cite this article as: Michala L, Creighton SM. Fused labia: a paediatric approach. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:261–264.

Keywords adhesions / labial agglutination / lichen sclerosus / local estrogen treatment / vulvovaginitis