A longitudinal study of hymenal morphology in the first 3 years of life

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 1995-04, Vol.95 (4), p.490-496
• Main Author: BERENSON, A. B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Aging (Biology); Biological and medical sciences; Child Abuse, Sexual - diagnosis; Child development; Child, Preschool; Continental Population Groups; Ethnic Groups; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Girls; Humans; Hymen - anatomy & histology; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Mammalian female genital system; Medical examination; Morphology. Physiology; Pediatrics; Physiological aspects; Reproductive system; Vagina; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.95.4.490

To document the effects of aging on hymenal morphology during the first 3 years of life in a cohort of nonabused girls. Using a longitudinal design, we examined and photographed the external genitalia of 134 girls at 2 months or less and near 3 years of age; 42 of these girls were also examined near 1 year of age. The prevalence of each hymenal characteristic was calculated at each time, and differences were analyzed using the z statistic and McNemar change tests. Measurements of transhymenal diameters and the inferior rims were compared using a paired t-test. Hymenal configuration in 65% (87 of 134) of the subjects changed between birth and 3 years, usually from annular or fimbriated to crescentic. External ridges observed at birth usually resolved by 3 years, whereas intravaginal ridges were observed more often in 3-year-olds (P = .00). Analysis by race showed that the prevalence of both superior and lateral notches decreased in whites, whereas the prevalence of intravaginal ridges changed only in blacks (P = .00). Sixty-eight percent (15 of 22) of the tags present at birth were not observed at 3 years, while nine tags formed during this period. Changes observed between 1 and 3 years included increases in the mean horizontal (P = .00) and vertical (P = .02) transhymenal diameters and in the prevalence of the crescentic configuration (P = .04). Changes in hymenal morphology, which may vary by race, occur in the first 3 years of life. Alterations are more pronounced in the first year than in years 2 and 3. Physicians should understand the effects of aging on the hymen's appearance to differentiate normal development from post-traumatic or infectious changes.