Health of girls-victims of military conflict

Abstract

Background. To study peculiarities of physical and sexual development and menstrual function in girls from the military conflict area in the Eastern part of the country who receive treatment in the State Institution “Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of the NAMS of Ukraine”. Materials and methods. 192 girls aged 7–17 years who had been admitted to various departments of the institute were included in the study. An anthropometric study was conducted using common techniques and centile tables. Sexual development was identified by intensity of secondary sexual characteristics according to J. Tanner classification. A time of menarche and peculiarities of the menstrual function development were eva­luated. Results. Reproductive potential of girls from the military conflict area shows a high level of deviations manifesting in deterioration in physical development, impaired sexual maturation, and abnormal menstrual function. Whereas, it appears to be poorer in girls-victims of the military conflict in the Eastern Ukraine than in girls from the general population. Peculiarities of physical and sexual development and abnormal menstrual function were identified in girls from the immediate armed conflict area, grey area, and in displaced persons. Conclusions. Studying and understanding the problems of children-victims of the military conflict, dynamic evaluation of their physical, sexual, and menstrual function development are necessary to create effective support programs for them. This will enable to start treatment measures aimed at restoration of their reproductive potential and prevention of reproductive losses in the future.

Keywords

• physical development
• sexual development
• menstrual function
• girls
• military conflict