Sexually transmitted diseases in children.

Venereal infections acquired from the mother are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Prepubertal children may be exposed to these diseases through sexual abuse. The clinical pictures often differ from those of adult syndromes. All cases require epidemiologic investigation, precise etiologic identification and full courses of treatment. The list of bacterial, "bacteria-like," fungal, viral, protozoan and parasitic infections is extensive. Pathogens of chief interest are the gonococcus, condyloma acuminatum virus, Treponema pallidum, Trichomonas, herpes simplex virus and Chlamydia trachomatis.