Pediatric Vulvar lichen sclerosus may persist even after menarche

The study was a observational retrospective study conducted on premenarchal girls diagnosed with pVLS in their institution between 1990 and 2011 describes 31 patients who returned for multidisciplinary clinical evaluation following menarche.

The findings of the study are

• The mean follow-up time was 14 years. At the post-menarche clinical examination, patients were classified as follows: 58% were still affected by Vulvar lichen sclerosus.

• 16% presented with a complete remission of disease, and 26% were completely asymptomatic although with persistent clinical signs of Vulvar lichen sclerosus.

The researchers concluded that “In our series, pVLS persists following menarche in the majority of patients. These findings suggest the importance of a long-term follow-up even among patients who report resolution of symptoms following menarche.”

They added that patients and parents should be counseled that most pediatric patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus have a persistence of their condition after menarche and that long-term follow-up is required.

Reference: Veronica Boero MD, PhD, Riccardo Cavalli MD et al ; Pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus: Does it resolve or does it persist after menarche?; 30 March 2023, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.15308