Chlamydia trachomatis conjunctivitis in the pre-pubertal child

We present the case of a 7-year-old girl, referred for assessment at the sexual assault referral centre following the diagnosis of unilateral C. trachomatis conjunctivitis. This child underwent a rigorous multiagency child protection process, with input from medical professionals, social services and the police to investigate the possibility of child sexual abuse (CSA). However, a group consensus was reached that non-sexual close contact transfer of C. trachomatis from the mother was the most likely mode of transmission and cause of infection. We aim to take the reader through the complex path to this conclusion, the approach to sexually transmitted infections and potential CSA and what is currently known about chlamydial conjunctivitis in children beyond the neonatal period.

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - March 17, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Moore, R., Mallett, P., Hull, S., Christie, S., Simpson, E., Bowen, J., Dinsmore, W., McCaughey, C., Livingstone, A. Tags: Problem solving in clinical practice Source Type: research