Abstract
Retrospective analysis of our records over the past 7 years revealed the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae on 224 occasions from 222 children. All subjects were inner city dwellers, and all but two were black. Little variation in monthly prevelance was noted over the years, however, a sharp increase in the annual prevelance occurred in 1970 with a gradual decline subsequently. Ophthalmia (50 cases) accounted for 22% of all infections, and occurred mainly in newborns (33 cases). Gonococcal ophthalmia was more common in females than in males, and while the affliction occurred in older girls, no males over the age of 3 years had ophthalmia. Urethritis was noted in 46 boys (21%), 81% of whom were older than 6 years of age and 54% were older than 10 years. Vaginitis (124 cases) accounted for 55% of the infections. In contrast to urethritis in boys, 65% of girls with vaginitis were under 6 years of age and only 7% were older than 10 years, N. gonorrhoeae was also recovered from 2 blood cultures, one gastric culture, and a knee aspirate. A history of sexual contact was elicited from 6 boys and from 18 girls. Gonococcal infections were documented in family members of 13 index cases (4 parents, 9 siblings). Of 83 cases with adequate follow-up, 7 failed to respond to appropriate therapy.
These data suggest a high incidence of gonorrhea in the Detroit area and warrent a prospective epidemiologic and clinical investigation of the disease.
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Dajani, A., Caldroney, G. GONOCOCCAL INFECTIONS OF CHILDREN IN METROPOLITAN DETROIT. Pediatr Res 8, 423 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00499
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00499