Vaginal Foreign Body Presenting as Bleeding with Defecation in a Child

Abstract 

Symptoms secondary to a vaginal foreign body are responsible for approximately 4% of pediatric gynecologic outpatient visits.¹ The classic symptom is vaginal bleeding, but vaginal discharge, foul odor, irritation, abdominal pain, and hematuria have been described. We are reporting a case of a microscopic vaginal foreign body presenting as hematochezia in a preadolescent girl. This case is unique in that the patient presented with bleeding with defecation, without vaginal bleeding. Vaginal foreign bodies can present with diverse symptomatology. Physicians should consider the diagnosis of vaginal foreign body when presented with a young female patient with unexplained hematochezia.

Key Words: Vaginal foreign body, Vaginitis, Foreign body reaction, Vaginoscopy, Polarizable exogenous material, Foreign body type giant cells, Foreign body, Hematochezia, Vaginal bleeding