Pelvic inflammatory disease in adolescents

Diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is difficult often because the findings on history and physical examination are often mild and vague. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating an adolescent female who presents with lower abdominal pain. Early empiric treatment should be initiated to minimize the risk of long-term sequelae, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic abdominal pain. Counseling and partner notification are important issues to address sduring management of an adolescent with PID. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of PID in the adolescent patient.