Symptomatic Imperforate Hymen in Early Infancy: A Case Report

Imperforate hymen, though a congenital anomaly, usually presents late in puberty as lower abdominal pain, primary amenorrhea, and cyclical pain. Blood collects in vagina and uterus, proximal to imperforate hymen leading to their distention. Its presentation at infancy is a rare entity. We report such a rare case of symptomatic imperforate hymen in infancy, who presented with acute retention of urine, chills and rigor. Abdominal examination revealed an intra-abdominal mass in the lower abdomen and pelvis with the absence of vaginal opening on perineal examination. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen showed large abdominopelvic cystic lesion posterior to the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum consistent with a highly distended vagina. She was managed by the incision of the imperforate hymen and drainage of the pus. A high index of suspicion is necessary whenever a female infant presents with abdomino-pelvic mass with symptoms of fever or urinary retention.