Corresponding authors:
Dr. Changzheng Yuan, The Children’s Hospital and School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Binsheng Road 3333, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, Phone: +86-17326860291; Email:Chy478@zju.edu.cn
Prof. Jing Ma, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Landmark Center 401 Park Drive, Suite 401 East Boston, MA 02215
Email: Jingma88@gmail.com
Objective:To describe the pattern and population characteristics of pediatric and adolescent gynecological (PAG) problems in China.
Design : A clinic-based retrospective study of gynecological patients (aged 0-18 years) over a period of 13 years, and a systematic review of related studies in China.
Setting : Department of PAG at The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine.
Population or Sample : The final analyses included 97,252 patients with gynecological problems.
Methods : Descriptive analysis was conducted to evaluate the pattern of PAG problems. The weighted average of PAG problem percentages were calculated.
Main Outcome Measures : Spectrum of PAG problems
Results : The number of first-visit PAG patients increased from 4,582 to 11,876 from 2006 to 2018. Overall, genital inflammation was the most common presentation (57·0%), followed by early puberty (18·2%). The disease pattern varied across age groups, the most common problems were genital inflammation for age 0-6 years; genital inflammation and early puberty for age 7-9 years; consultation of growth and development, genital inflammation and menstrual disorder for age 10-18 years. Summarizing twenty previous studies of outpatient PAG patterns in China, we found an average weighted percentage of 48·8% for genital inflammation and 25·2% for menstrual disorder.
Conclusion : Genital inflammation, early puberty, consultation of growth and development and menstrual disorder were common issue for pediatric and adolescent patients with gynecological problems in China.