[Imperforate hymen: undiagnosed at birth, surgical emergency in adolescence].

Imperforate hymen is a malformation that is easy to diagnose, even in countries with limited health care coverage. Unrecognized at birth, it becomes evident at puberty because of the development of a hematocolpos, which requires surgical intervention. This situation can be avoided with a complete examination of the infant at birth. This case report describes four patients whom we saw from 1995 through 2001 at the Bangui (Central African Republic) Pediatric Center and Community Hospital.