Genital Herpes in children under 11 years

Lead investigator                     

Dr Richard Reading
Consultant paediatrician
Norfolkand Norwich University Hospital
Colney Lane
Norwich 
NR4 7UY

Email: Dr Richard Reading

Overview

• Genital herpes in prepubertal children is rare and, when it occurs, raises the question of possible sexual transmission.
• There is scanty evidence on modes of transmission, yet this information may determine whether or not a child protection investigation proceeds.
• This study will measure the incidence of genital herpes in young children in the UK and Ireland, and describe clinical, social, developmental and demographic features which might be associated with different possible modes of transmission.
• Paediatricians will be asked to report all possible cases first presenting to secondary care in children under 11 years of age.
• Evidence of virological confirmation of the diagnosis will be sought.
• The outcome of any subsequent child protection investigation or court proceedings will be collected.
• This will provide reliable, contemporaneous, population-based evidence about genital herpes in children and may guide policy and practice in this difficult area.

Duration: April 2007 - April 2008 (13 months)                                                

Funding: Birmingham Children’s Hospital Research Fund                               

Ethical approval: This study has been approved by the London MREC (Ref: 07/MRE02/9) and has been granted PIAG Section 60 Support (Ref: 4-06(FT6)/2006)                  

Further Information

• Study Protocol (PDF, 38KB, 2 pages)

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