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Faizan
Sexual abuse of infants occurs more often than many people realize. Advocates for Youth reports that 24% of all female survivors of childhood sexual abuse were abused for the first time at the age of five years or younger. Sexual abuse of infants includes sexual touching, penetration, intercourse,and child pornography. Caregivers need to be alert to the signs of sexual abuse in infants so they can take prompt action if necessary.
Vaginal or Penile Discharge
Vaginal or penile discharge generally indicates an infection, trauma or irritation to the genitals. Infection or trauma may occur as a result of something other than sexual abuse. Still, a pediatrician should examine any infant with unusual discharge.
Genital Rashes
Sexually transmitted infections cause genital rashes, but trauma or irritation of the genital area may also cause rashes. Excessive itching of the genital area may also occur as a result of sexual abuse. Very young infants generally don't scratch themselves, but slightly older infants may scratch their genitals excessively. Rashes and itching can also occur as a result of many other things such as heat rashes and allergic reactions to soap or laundry detergent. A pediatrician can usually diagnose the cause of a rash or excessive itching.
Genital Trauma
Bruising, bleeding, tears or other signs of genital trauma often indicates sexual abuse. Genital trauma may also occur as a result of an accident or physical abuse. Torn or damaged clothing and stained or bloody clothing may also suggest sexual abuse.
Painful Urination
Urinary tract infections or painful urination can result from sexual abuse due to irritation or trauma to the area or as a result of some sexually transmitted infections. A pediatrician should examine any infant that appears to have discomfort with urination.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
According to the "Merck Manual," sexually transmitted infections in children under the age of 12 usually indicate sexual abuse, although some infections like HIV are sometimes transmitted in other ways. Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections include blisters or sore on the genitals, foul discharge from the vagina or penis, pelvic pain and painful urination. Physicians diagnose sexually transmitted infections with laboratory tests.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral changes may seem less noticeable in infants than in older children, but victims of sexual abuse may seem more irritable, cry more and seem more difficult to comfort. Children may seem unusually clingy or fearful. Sleeping and eating patterns may change for no obvious reason, as well.
Vaginal or Penile Discharge
Vaginal or penile discharge generally indicates an infection, trauma or irritation to the genitals. Infection or trauma may occur as a result of something other than sexual abuse. Still, a pediatrician should examine any infant with unusual discharge.
Genital Rashes
Sexually transmitted infections cause genital rashes, but trauma or irritation of the genital area may also cause rashes. Excessive itching of the genital area may also occur as a result of sexual abuse. Very young infants generally don't scratch themselves, but slightly older infants may scratch their genitals excessively. Rashes and itching can also occur as a result of many other things such as heat rashes and allergic reactions to soap or laundry detergent. A pediatrician can usually diagnose the cause of a rash or excessive itching.
Genital Trauma
Bruising, bleeding, tears or other signs of genital trauma often indicates sexual abuse. Genital trauma may also occur as a result of an accident or physical abuse. Torn or damaged clothing and stained or bloody clothing may also suggest sexual abuse.
Painful Urination
Urinary tract infections or painful urination can result from sexual abuse due to irritation or trauma to the area or as a result of some sexually transmitted infections. A pediatrician should examine any infant that appears to have discomfort with urination.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
According to the "Merck Manual," sexually transmitted infections in children under the age of 12 usually indicate sexual abuse, although some infections like HIV are sometimes transmitted in other ways. Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections include blisters or sore on the genitals, foul discharge from the vagina or penis, pelvic pain and painful urination. Physicians diagnose sexually transmitted infections with laboratory tests.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral changes may seem less noticeable in infants than in older children, but victims of sexual abuse may seem more irritable, cry more and seem more difficult to comfort. Children may seem unusually clingy or fearful. Sleeping and eating patterns may change for no obvious reason, as well.
