Practice variation in screening for sexually transmitted infections with nucleic acid amplification tests during prepubertal sexual abuse evaluations.

Background: Although recent recommendations for children after suspected sexual abuse incorporate nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) in algorithms that detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs), screening practices in the community remain uncertain.

Study Objective: We examined screening practices over time and across a variety of pediatric settings for the evaluation of STIs in sexually abused children.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of prepubertal children younger than 11 years of age who were suspected to have been sexually abused were identified between May 2002 and April 2005 at a large tertiary children's hospital and its supporting primary care network.