Pelvic inflammatory disease in adolescents.

Abstract

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper female genital tract. It encompasses an array of inflammatory disorders, including endometritis, parametritis, salpingitis, oophoritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, peritonitis, and perihepatitis. In most adolescents with acute severe infections it is difficult to differentiate some of these entities; thus the term PID is used commonly. Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) and tubo-ovarian abscess are acute complications, whereas chronic complications include infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain.