On the Impacts of Genital Trauma in Children

On the Impacts of Genital Trauma in Children

When it comes to the care of children, the utmost protection and concern are warranted. Unfortunately, children are the targets of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse on a daily basis and, therefore, the topic of genital trauma must be discussed.

Among the types of catastrophic personal injuries that might occur, injuries to the genital region are a sensitive subject yet one that merits in-depth discussion. Most importantly, any damages to the genital region need to be reported so that the documentation is consistent from person to person. The mechanism of these traumatic injuries must be reported so that the next person who sees them can review what the prior examiner thought. Some of the mechanisms of these brutal injuries include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: When someone is involved in an auto accident, there are some bone fractures and soft tissue injuries that can lead to genital trauma. For example, a pelvic fracture can lead to damage to the kidneys, uterus, ureters, urethra, and bladder. It is possible for a fragment of the pelvis to puncture any of these organs, leading to serious damage.
• Bicycle Accidents: A bicycle accident also has the potential to lead to genital trauma. Someone who collides with an object can fall off of the seat and land on the crossbar, leading to trauma to the genital region. Symptoms of this injury could include blood in the urine, a sign that further evaluation is warranted.
• Sexual Abuse: Unfortunately, sexual abuse of children occurs in our society and can lead to genital trauma as well. Some medical professionals are trained to differentiate the genital trauma of an accident from the trauma that develops due to abuse, and they should always be contacted to evaluate the patient in any situation such as this.

Depending on the mechanism of the genital trauma, there are serious, long-term psychological ramifications. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and treat the injuries, both physical and mental, as quickly as possible. This quick action will help provide the greatest potential for a positive outcome for the patient.

A Summary of the Recommendations

Researchers conducted a thorough review of existing recommendations that addressed the issue of genital trauma and sexual abuse in children. After the review, they published their findings and the recommendations that were common across the various papers. Some of these suggestions include:

• Standardize the Terminology: The first item that the researchers found was that the terminology used to describe some of the injuries to the genital region was not consistent from patient to patient. If the language is not standardized, the documentation may mean different things to different people. It is best if the terminology is standardized so that anyone who sees the injuries and compares it to the literature understands what they're looking at.
• Education is Important: It is also important for medical providers to educate their patients about how child abuse happens, what constitutes abuse, and how to prevent it. By educating children on what they should keep their eyes open for, future cases of violence could be prevented. It is the responsibility of the healthcare providers and the parents of the children to educate minor and adolescents on the various forms of abuse.
• Early Healthcare is Vital: Finally, it is also important for patients, parents, and professionals to provide healthcare to those children who have been abused as early as possible. Numerous long-term psychological problems can develop from genital trauma and sexual abuse. With early healthcare, the opportunity for a positive outcome can be maximized and the recovery process can start sooner.

Prevention and Reporting is the Key

Prevention of abuse and other forms of genital trauma is the key to handling this situation. The utmost safety should be exercised when riding a bike or driving a vehicle. Vigilance is necessary to protect children from those who wish to do them harm. If someone has been abused, it is important to listen to him or her and report any findings that might seem abnormal.

Watch YouTube Video: Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse is Possible. This short animated video discusses the importance of child sexual abuse prevention.

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