The family reported that the child had been experiencing a yellow vaginal discharge for 5 months. After visiting several medical facilities, she was diagnosed with vulvitis and prescribed medication. However, after multiple courses of treatment, her condition did not improve.

On 20/3, at the Outpatient Clinic C1 of Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Doctor Le Thi Hieu, Head of the Outpatient Clinic, stated that initial ultrasound results did not reveal any clear abnormalities. However, the doctor suspected a foreign object in the child's vagina.

"This is a potential cause of prolonged infection that is sometimes difficult to detect with conventional diagnostic methods", the doctor said.

However, the child was uncooperative during the procedure due to fear. The doctors consulted and decided to use general anesthesia for a safe intervention. The team removed a foreign object: a toy flashlight measuring more than 5 cm. The flashlight's body had many crevices and hidden spots, and the battery inside had rusted from being in the vagina for over 5 months, causing prolonged infection. Currently, the child's condition is stable.

The toy battery stuck in the girl's vagina. Photo: Hospital provided

Doctors advise that vaginal foreign objects are a common cause of prolonged infection, but they are easily overlooked if only conventional inflammation treatment is applied. Parents should monitor their children: if there is a persistent abnormal vaginal discharge, especially if it is yellow, green, foul-smelling, itchy, or causes discomfort in the genital area, they should seek medical attention.

Parents should instruct children on proper genital hygiene. They should also remind children not to insert foreign objects into their bodies while playing.

Thuy An