OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the frequency and the nature of genital trauma
in female children in Jordan, and to stress the role of forensics.
METHODS: This is a
cross-sectional study conducted between March 2008 and December 2011 in Jordan
University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Sixty-three female children were examined
for genital trauma after immediate admission. The mechanism of injury was
categorized and reported by the examiners as either straddle, non-straddle
blunt, or penetrating.
RESULTS: Straddle injury was the
cause of injuries in 90.5% of patients, and contusions were the significant
type of injury in 34% of patients, followed by abrasions in both labia majora
and labia minora. Only one case suffered from non-intact hymen and 2 had
hematuria. These 3 cases (4.7%) required surgical intervention and follow-up
after 2 weeks.
CONCLUSION: Straddle injuries
were the main cause of genital trauma and rarely affect the hymen; however, due
to the sensitivity of the subject and the severity of the traumas, forensic
physicians should provide consultation and cooperate with gynecologists to
exclude or confirm hymenal injuries, where empathy is necessary to mitigate
tension associated with such injuries for the sake of the child and the parents
as well, along with good management of the injury type.