Neonatal Vaginosis 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