A neonatal female may develop a transient vaginal infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis.
Clinical features:
(1) malodorous vaginal discharge in a newborn female
(2) microscopic examination or PCR shows Trichomonas vaginalis
(3) examination of the mother shows Trichomonas vaginalis
Associated problems:
(1) The patient may also be at risk for a urinary tract infection (with or without Trichomonas vaginalis)
(2) The patient is often born premature due to the effects of Trichomonas on the mother.
The infection:
(1) can be treated with metronidazole
(2) often will spontaneously resolve once the effects of maternal estrogen disappear at about 1 month of age
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Obstetrics & Gynecology