Gonococcal conjunctivitis in prepubertal children
L. S. Lewis, T. A. Glauser and M. D. Joffe
Division of Emergency Medicine, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pa.
Four prepubertal children had confirmed gonococcal conjunctivitis. All were
febrile and had hyperpurulent conjunctival discharge with periorbital
inflammation. Cultures of pharyngeal, rectal, and genital specimens on
selective media excluded infection at other sites. Detailed social
evaluation revealed no evidence or suspicion of sexual abuse. Isolated
gonococcal conjunctivitis occurs in prepubertal children. Unlike gonococcal
infections at other locations, a nonsexual mode of transmission may exist.
However, a careful physical examination and detailed social evaluation,
looking for signs of sexual abuse, must be obtained in any prepubertal
child with a gonococcal infection.
