An Unusual Presentation of Syphilis in the Context of Child Sexual Abuse

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2024 Apr;37(2):209-212. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.09.012. Epub 2023 Oct 4.

Abstract

A 13-year-old presented with a genital lesion, which helped in guiding a diagnosis of child sexual abuse. The patient disclosed unprotected penile-vaginal penetration by a 20-year-old male neighbor. On exam, her left labia minora had a single 2-cm hypopigmented fleshy non-tender mass, and laboratory studies revealed positive Treponemal IgG IgM antibody (>8) and rapid plasma reagin titer of 1:128, indicating syphilis infection. Given the resolution of the labial mass with treatment of syphilis, this lesion was most consistent with condyloma lata. Genital exams are an important component of pediatric evaluations. Condyloma lata can vary in appearance (papules, nodules, or wart-like lesions) and color and may present as a single lesion or multiple lesions. Our patient had one 2-cm lesion, and therefore, clinicians should assume that an anogenital lesion is condyloma lata in the setting of positive syphilis testing.

Keywords: Child abuse pediatrics; Condyloma lata; Infectious disease; Syphilis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual* / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skin Neoplasms*
  • Syphilis* / complications
  • Syphilis* / diagnosis
  • Syphilis* / drug therapy
  • Young Adult