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The baby has discharge when urinating. Main rules and prevention. In newborn girls this is considered a completely normal, physiological phenomenon.

Parents of a newborn are usually frightened by the appearance of reddish or yellowish discharge on the baby's diapers or diapers. Most often, this is a completely normal phenomenon that has a specific name and reasons. This is usually due to the fact that maternal hormones enter the girl's body during childbirth. Later they are eliminated through secretions.

Sexual crisis in newborns

Sexual (hormonal) crisis in newborns is a process of cleansing and adaptation of the child’s body to the external environment. During the first days (weeks), the newborn’s body is cleansed of excess estrogen (maternal hormones). This process can begin in the maternity hospital and last from 2 to 8 weeks. The hormonal crisis reaches its peak by the end of the first week.

This process can occur in both the body of a girl and a boy, or it may not occur at all. The main symptom of a sexual crisis is engorgement of the mammary glands, often accompanied by discharge like colostrum. You cannot take any measures about this yourself, especially squeezing out the liquid.

Also, a sexual crisis manifests itself in the form of:

  • acne;
  • swelling;
  • swelling of the genital organs (in boys);
  • vaginal discharge of various colors and consistency (in girls).

The last of these signs especially frightens young parents, since it manifests itself most clearly. The discharge can be: light, transparent, whitish, yellowish, bloody.

Bloody issues

Droplets of blood may appear in a newborn's diaper or diaper on the 3rd or 4th day after birth. Usually they are not abundant and last 2-3 days. During this period, the mucous membranes of the vagina, uterus and cervix are in a state characteristic of the premenstrual period.

This occurs as a result of the rejection of the mucous membranes of the uterus when the action of maternal hormones (estrogens) abruptly ceases after birth.

This physiological phenomenon does not require treatment. Frequent washing with warm boiled water is necessary to avoid accidental infection of the genitals.

White discharge

White discharge occurs as accumulations in the folds of the labia of the newborn. A young mother may confuse them with the remnants of vernix lubrication and try to get rid of the discharge. But there is no need to apply any additional measures other than normal care. This is a natural reaction of the body.

The reasons for this phenomenon are the same as the appearance of bloody discharge. The source is the vaginal walls. Stimulates the appearance of secretions of progesterone and prolactin, which are contained in breast milk. Usually, by the end of the first month of life, mucous discharge stops and the genital slit is cleared. Such discharge does not require treatment or special treatment.

Yellow discharge

They are a sign of a uric acid crisis. It occurs as a result of getting rid of excess salts. This phenomenon occurs in infants regardless of gender. More often yellow, sometimes orange, discharge appears. It goes away on its own and does not require special treatment.

What to do if you have discharge

During the period of sexual crisis it is necessary:

  • diligently observe the rules of hygiene, especially sexual hygiene;
  • wash the newborn with movements only from front to back, i.e., first wash the genitals, only then the anus;
  • to wash, use warm boiled water (chamomile decoction);
  • wash the baby more often than expected;
  • do not try to remove the white plaque between the labia;
  • do not make any effort when washing, so as not to damage the vulnerable mucous membrane of the newborn
  • gently spread the labia to prevent their fusion;
  • periodically allow the skin and genitals to “breathe”, freeing them from diapers and diapers.

When to see a doctor

You should carefully monitor the baby’s health, and if the first negative signs appear, consult a doctor to prevent the development of serious diseases. These signs include:

  • continuation of discharge after 8 weeks;
  • pain and stinging when urinating;
  • purulent vaginal discharge;
  • unpleasant odor of vaginal discharge;
  • prolonged vaginal discharge (more than 3 days);
  • copious discharge;
  • inflammation of the genital organs;
  • change in urine color;
  • blood in the urine;
  • anatomical disorders in the structure of the genital organs.

Proper care of a newborn prevents the development of pathological conditions, relieving the baby from discomfort and parents from unnecessary worry. If the girl is healthy, nothing can stop you from fully enjoying motherhood.

Daily hygiene of the child is mandatory, parents of girls monitor this especially carefully. Often, concerned mothers turn to the doctor with questions about light plaque on the baby’s labia and the surface of the diaper. As a rule, clear and white discharge in girls is considered normal and does not require any treatment. But, starting from a certain age, such symptoms become pathological and require consultation with a pediatric gynecologist.

White discharge in newborn girls

In the first few weeks after birth, the baby's hormonal background changes greatly. This is due to the fact that on the eve of childbirth there is a large amount of estrogens in her blood, received from the mother through the placenta. Moreover, the reproductive system, especially the uterus, is already capable of responding to the presence of sex hormones. After birth, approximately 3-4 days, the concentration of estrogen in the little girl’s blood quickly decreases, since the mother’s body now produces prolactin, which is necessary for normal lactation. The described hormonal change provokes white vaginal discharge in a child, often with scanty blood impurities.

This process is absolutely normal and does not require any additional measures other than normal hygiene. Do not worry, wash your baby frequently or try to clean your baby’s labia with cotton swabs, this can harm the skin and mucous membranes.

It is worth noting that the symptoms discussed disappear on their own and quite quickly, up to the age of 1-3 months.

Why might a girl have discharge?

After a hormonal crisis, the secretion of white mucus in girls does not stop completely. Of course, the microflora is just beginning to form and this process will finally be completed by about 8 years (the beginning of puberty), but the surface of the vagina is not sterile. There is always a certain amount of coccal bacteria present on it, which make up the normal flora. In addition, mucus is secreted daily and dead epithelium is rejected. That's why little girls' panties and diapers show a number of light spots every day. If these signs do not cause inconvenience or discomfort to the baby, the discharge has no odor, the vagina and labia do not itch - everything is fine.

In other situations, especially in the presence of pathological symptoms (itching, swelling, redness), you should immediately contact a pediatric gynecologist. The doctor will analyze a smear obtained from the vagina and, if a pathogenic microflora is found, will recommend adequate therapy.

How to treat discharge in girls?

In some cases, babies develop a genital infection. It is provoked by:

  • insufficient hygiene;
  • bacteria brought from the rectum;
  • enterobiasis;
  • candidiasis ().

The last reason, fungal infection, often occurs as a result of long-term use of antibiotics, allergies to components of hygienic cosmetics, and reduced immunity.

Treat heavy discharge in girls only after consultation with a pediatric gynecologist. First, a vaginal smear is analyzed - a bacterial culture is done to determine the sensitivity of the flora to different types of antibiotics. After identifying the causative agent of the infection, the doctor selects a course of therapy, which includes antibacterial or antifungal drugs. At the same time, it is important to protect the liver with hepatoprotectors and take care of the colonization of the mucous membranes with beneficial lactobacilli. Additionally, it is recommended to take pre- and to normalize the intestinal microflora.

There is a very common point of view that “female” diseases occur only in women and girls who lead a full sex life. That is why discharge from little girls often frightens parents and is perceived as something ominous and threatening the health of their child. Let's figure out which discharge is considered normal and which is not. If any symptoms appear, you should contact a pediatric gynecologist as soon as possible, and which ones should you not sound the alarm?

Vaginal discharge itself is typical for representatives of the fairer sex of all ages, and even newborn girls are not considered an exception to the rule. These secretions are the result of the functioning and spontaneous cleansing of the organs of the female reproductive system.

Normally, vaginal secretion consists of:

  • desquamated cells of the renewing epithelium that lines the inner surface of the genital organs;
  • mucus produced by the glands of the cervix and uterine body;
  • microorganisms;
  • blood cells (leukocytes) and other components.

Vaginal discharge in girls can be physiological or pathological.

Normal discharge that you shouldn't worry about

This is considered a secretion of a light color of a mucous nature, to which viscous threads or crumbly impurities can be attached. Young mothers should not worry if they find this kind of discharge in their newborn girl. Abundant mucus discharge often occur in the second week of a baby’s life.

In rare cases, a small amount of blood may be mixed in (as during menstruation). Along with bloody discharge, the girl’s nipples may become slightly swollen, and with light pressure, a thick, cloudy liquid (colostrum) may appear.

There is no need to worry, this phenomenon is considered absolutely safe and is called “sexual or hormonal crisis of newborns.” This is quite normal and understandable: this is how the baby’s reproductive system responds to the increased level of the mother’s sex hormones, which enter the child’s body through the placenta or with milk. This condition does not require special treatment. At this time, you just need to pay closer attention to the girl’s hygiene.

Starting from 3-4 weeks of puberty, a period of hormonal “rest” begins. From this time until the age of 7-8, when the prepubertal period begins, mucous discharge in girls almost does not appear.

This stage of puberty is characterized by hormonal changes in the body. With it, under the influence of its own hormones (about 1 year before the onset of the first menstruation), the child again experiences physiological vaginal discharge. At 9-10, and for some at 15 years old, discharge in girls intensifies, becomes cyclical and a menstrual cycle is established.

Pathological discharge: causes and associated symptoms

Pathological discharge in newborn girls is often very copious, mixed with blood, pus, and accompanied by a sharp, unpleasant odor. They also often occur during hormonal “rest”, that is, in the period from 1 month to 7-8 years.

Purulent discharge in girls they most often appear as a result of inflammatory processes that affect the external genitalia of the child or the vaginal mucosa.

The reason for this is the physiological characteristics of the children's vagina and vulva. The fact is that the mucous membrane that lines the vagina in little girls has a loose structure and is very tender.

In addition, their vagina does not have the necessary conditions for the normal existence of lactic acid fermentation rods. In adult women, these rods provide an acidic environment that prevents the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

The child’s vagina has an alkaline environment, and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms are constantly present in it. With a decrease in immunity, non-compliance with hygiene rules, and allergic diseases, these bacteria begin to actively multiply, which causes the appearance of discharge in girls.

The onset of the inflammatory process is characterized by the occurrence of not only pathological yellow or green discharge in girls, but also symptoms such as:

  • redness (hyperemia) of the external genitalia and adjacent areas of the skin;
  • swelling;
  • moderate or severe burning and itching, which sharply intensifies when urinating.

Yellow-green discharge in girls will indicate the presence of bacterial vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vaginal mucosa). If the balance of vaginal microflora is disturbed, the child will produce grayish or milky creamy leucorrhoea, accompanied by the smell of rotten fish.

A frothy discharge will indicate the presence of a trichomonas infection in a little girl. With allergic vulvovaginitis, the discharge will be watery, and the mucous membrane will become very thin and dry.

When is treatment needed?

Treatment for a child can only be prescribed by a doctor. In this case, an individual approach should be taken, taking into account the girl’s age and the presence of any chronic diseases.

First of all, the doctor must determine the causative agent of vulvovaginitis and how sensitive it is to antibiotics. Next, drug treatment using antifungal, antiviral drugs and antibiotics is indicated.

In acute cases of the disease and heavy discharge in girls 3 years of age and older, strict bed rest is necessary.

Daily care for a newborn girl includes regular washing, which very quickly becomes a habitual procedure. However, in most cases, the young mother is not ready for the sexual crisis, which manifests itself to varying degrees in the child on the 3rd–4th day after birth, and is frightened when she discovers unusual discharge from her daughter’s genitals. Since such discharge can be both normal and pathological, it is important to understand the reason for its appearance and know in which cases you should consult a doctor.

Different types of discharge in newborn girls

Vaginal discharge in newborn girls can be:

  1. Bloody. The cause of this phenomenon is a hormonal or sexual crisis, which is associated with the accumulation of maternal hormones in the child’s body. Before childbirth, the level of estrogen and prostaglandins in the mother’s body increases significantly, and these hormones enter the child’s body through the placenta. The reaction of a girl’s reproductive system to an increase in hormonal levels does not differ from the reaction of an adult woman’s body - the baby’s secretion of vaginal mucus increases and the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) grows. After childbirth, both the mother and the newborn’s estrogen levels drop sharply, since the mother’s body no longer needs this hormone, and the girl’s body is not yet able to produce it. A drop in estrogen levels causes the upper layer of the endometrium to be rejected, so a newborn, just like adult women, experiences bloody discharge. Such discharge in a newborn girl is a natural process of adaptation that does not require any additional treatment - as soon as the body is cleansed of particles of rejected mucous, the discharge will stop. In the future, the sexual crisis may have other manifestations, but there will be no more bloody discharge from the genitals.
  2. White and sticky. These secretions often accumulate in the folds of the labia and are perceived as remnants of grayish-white vernix. There is no need to remove such secretions with any special means - their appearance also provokes a sexual crisis, only they are produced by the walls of the vagina when the hormones progesterone and prolactin pass through the placenta. The efforts that mothers make to remove these secretions can lead to mucosal injury and infection, so the child should simply be washed. In most cases, the folds of the labia clear up on their own by the beginning of the girl’s second month of life.
  3. Whitish, light yellow or transparent, with a consistency reminiscent of leucorrhoea. They are observed in 60–70% of babies and are a manifestation of desquamative vulvovaginitis. This type of vulvovaginitis lasts about 3 days and is also a consequence of hormonal changes in the newborn - under the influence of estrogens, glycogen (a complex carbohydrate) accumulates in the cells of the child’s vagina, which is a nutrient medium for Dederlein’s rods. These rods, which are a component of the normal flora of the vagina, combine with glycogen to form light-colored discharge. Treatment consists of normal hygienic procedures; no additional medications are needed.
  4. Yellow. Bright yellow spots can be found on diapers during the first week of life in most newborns (such spots can appear not only in girls, but also in boys). These spots are a consequence of metabolic disorders in the kidneys (associated with the body’s adaptation to new conditions) and the deposition of salts. In the absence of renal pathology, by the beginning of the second week they disappear.

When should you see a doctor? Not all discharge from the genital organs of a child is absolutely harmless - the mucous membrane of the labia of a newborn is very delicate and easily injured, and the slightest cracks and wounds can serve as a “gate” for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

The reason to consult a doctor is discharge that does not stop for a long time (what is normal for a newborn up to 8 weeks, in a later period is a sign of pathology).

You should also contact a pediatric gynecologist if:

  • the child experiences painful urination (cries, writhes before, at this moment, or after urination);
  • The girl’s discharge has an unpleasant odor;
  • The newborn has swelling and redness of the labia:
  • there is pus in the discharge of a newborn girl (the discharge has acquired a greenish tint);
  • The child’s discharge is profuse;
  • leucorrhoea-like mucous discharge does not stop for more than 3 days;
  • the newborn’s urine has changed color or contains blood;
  • It seems to the mother that the girl has disturbances in the anatomical structure of the genital organs.

If necessary, the pediatric gynecologist will take a smear from the vagina, and after sowing and determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics, he will select the appropriate medications and course of treatment.

Careful care of the child's genitals is necessary regardless of whether he currently has any discharge or not. The baby must be washed with boiled water every time the diaper is changed (if there is no allergy, you can use a chamomile decoction in a very weak concentration).

It is not recommended to use herbs for regular washing, as they dry out delicate skin and mucous membranes. When washing, the hand movement should be carried out in only one direction - from front to back. Air baths will also be useful for the child, preventing the development of diaper rash.

Last article updated: 04/12/2018

Discharge from the genital tract occurs not only in adult women, but also in children. Vaginal discharge in newborn girls may even be bloody. Teenagers during the period of formation of menstrual function are characterized by white discharge. But leucorrhoea can be one of the symptoms of inflammation of the genital tract or an unfavorable state of the body. If you ignore this symptom, it is fraught with gynecological diseases and even infertility in the future. Therefore, mothers should monitor their daughters’ discharge and promptly contact a pediatric gynecologist.

Obstetrician-gynecologist

The body of a newly born girl is influenced by maternal hormones. Changes similar to those characteristic of puberty occur in the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and mammary glands. Therefore, mucous discharge appears. The composition and amount of discharge normally depends on the general physical condition of the body, especially its nervous system, psychogenic factors and the hormonal status of the woman.

3% of newborns may experience bloody or mucous-bloody leucorrhoea. This is a reaction to a sharp drop in sex hormone levels after birth. But inflammatory diseases of the vagina in little girls are rare - this is due to the protective effect of maternal estrogens.

The period of childhood takes a period of time from 2 - 3 weeks of a girl’s life to 7 - 8 years.

The reproductive system is not functioning at this time and there should be no discharge. But right now, inflammatory diseases of the vagina and vulva are most common. There are reasons for this:

1. Immaturity of the immune system.

2. Anatomical features of the child’s body:

  • the vulva is covered with delicate, vulnerable skin, which is susceptible to infections;
  • the vagina is short, folded, close to the anus and urethra;
  • the labia minora are poorly defined, the entrance to the vagina is poorly covered;
  • renewal of the surface layers of the vaginal epithelium occurs slowly, it is poor in glycogen - a source of lactic acid;
  • Vaginal pH is alkaline or neutral;
  • instead of Doderlein's rods, as in adult women, cocci predominate there.

Therefore, discharge in a 4-5 year old girl most often indicates inflammation of the vagina.

Discharge from the genital tract in a 12 year old girl

Puberty takes from 8 to 15 years.

Inflammation of the vulva and vagina is rare. The course of the infection is mild. Girls have no complaints other than bad-smelling leucorrhoea. This indicates the beginning of hormonal changes in girls’ bodies and the maturation of the immune system.

But during this period, thrush is more common. From the beginning of puberty, leucorrhoea may appear due to inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Discharge in teenage girls can be caused by vegetative-vascular dystonia. They develop due to sudden hormonal fluctuations. In addition to leucorrhoea, girls usually complain of increased fatigue, irritability, poor appetite and sleep.

The appearance of white discharge in girls indicates the beginning of puberty. Such leucorrhoea is not profuse, may have a yellow tint, and is odorless.

Brown discharge in girls

They have this color due to the admixture of blood. They talk about the imminent start of menstruation.

But here the mother should be extremely careful, because brown discharge can occur with inflammatory diseases, injuries to the genital organs, or a foreign body in the vagina.

You should pay attention to the time of appearance and duration of coffee discharge. If they precede menstrual flow or continue for several days after, this is a variant of the norm. If their appearance does not depend on the phase of the cycle, the child should be shown to a specialist.

Green discharge in girls

Yellow-green discharge in a girl indicates an inflammatory process of the vulvar and vaginal mucosa. The green color of the leucorrhoea indicates the presence in the secretions of leukocytes in large numbers, as well as microbes and their metabolic products. There is purulent inflammation in the vagina. Such discharge is typical for gonorrhea, thrush, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and other bacterial infections.

Discharge from the genital tract in teenage girls

From 15 to 18 years of age, the reproductive system completes its maturation. The menstrual cycle becomes regular. The egg begins to mature. Normal discharge changes during the menstrual cycle and depends on its phase:

  • light transparent scanty in the first 2 weeks after menstruation;
  • during ovulation, mucous is more abundant, transparent and stretchy;
  • two weeks before menstruation, they are light white or with a yellowish tint, their consistency resembles cream.

White discharge in girls

White discharge in girls may be normal if:

Brown discharge in girls

They talk about the formation of the menstrual cycle and the imminent onset of menstruation. If you already have your period, then such discharge may occur 2 days before and after menstruation. In the middle of the cycle due to sudden hormonal surges.

But if they continue for four days or more, you should consult a doctor. This may indicate hormonal imbalances, trauma, a foreign body, or an inflammatory process in the reproductive organs.

  1. Past common infectious diseases. Flu, ARVI, tonsillitis, otitis media weaken the immune system and contribute to the development of inflammatory processes in the genital organs. In a girl, discharge may appear due to stress, malnutrition, lack of sleep, intoxication, diseases of the heart, lungs, nervous system, and intestines. Often vulvovaginitis in girls is combined with pyelonephritis, anemia, asthenia, metabolic disorders, and tuberculosis.
  2. Allergy. Against the background of atopic discharge, the discharge is abundant, liquid, mucous, and transparent.
  3. For endocrine diseases. When thrush develops, with hyperthyroidism the girl develops copious, light-colored liquid discharge.
  4. Childhood infections: scarlet fever, diphtheria. With diphtheria, the vagina may be primarily affected. The discharge is mucopurulent with films. If a 3-year-old girl has a mucous membrane of the vagina and labia covered with gray films, and when they are removed, a bleeding, erosive surface is exposed, then it is worth examining for diphtheria.
  5. For STIs: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis. Girls aged 3 years old, as a rule, become infected from their mother, the infection enters their body in utero, during childbirth, if the mother of an STI patient violates the rules of personal hygiene: through unwashed hands after using the toilet, shared washcloths, towels. Sexual transmission is possible in girls who are sexually active. With gonorrhea, there is a thick, green-yellow purulent discharge; crusts form on the skin when it dries; with trichomoniasis, the leucorrhoea is whitish with a greenish tint, bad-smelling, profuse; with chlamydia, the leucorrhoea is not profuse, mucous, less often with pus; with myco-ureaplasma infection, the discharge is serous-purulent.
  6. Violation of personal hygiene rules, dirty hands, improper washing or lack thereof, swimming in polluted waters leads to the appearance of leucorrhoea caused by staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli, enterococcus, gardnerella. With a lingering, thick yellow discharge, stains resembling starch stains remain on the laundry. A girl experiences yellow-green discharge due to inflammation caused by E. coli.
  7. Helminthiasis and enterobiasis. lay eggs on the skin of the perineum, bringing intestinal bacteria into the vagina. This causes itching, burning, provokes the child to scratch the genitals with dirty hands and even masturbate, which leads to a secondary infection and the appearance of discharge in girls.
  8. Foreign body and genital trauma. Children 4 years of age and older can accidentally insert pieces of toilet paper, threads from clothes, small objects (pins, caps) into the vagina during play and forget about it. Foreign objects cause inflammation, profuse, bloody leucorrhoea with pus, smelling rotten. They are difficult to treat until the foreign body is removed.
  9. Antibiotic treatment excessive cleanliness with constant use of soap for washing, excessive consumption of sweets and insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits can provoke thrush. At the same time, a cheesy, acidic discharge appears. The color is white or green.
  10. Early onset of sexual activity.
  11. INrare habits: alcohol, smoking.

Leucorrhoea due to inflammation of the uterus and appendages most often occurs in adolescents who are sexually active. In girls aged 6 years, adnexitis is rare and, as a rule, is combined with acute appendicitis or other surgical pathology: cholecystitis,