A knowledge of the special concerns and physiology in pediatric female patients allows the physician to obtain pertinent histories and appropriate examinations. This information permits diagnosis and treatment of sequelae of sexual abuse, common gynecologic infections, and trauma. More complex problems, such as determination of sources of vaginal bleeding and endocrinopathies, also can be evaluated. Finally, benign and malignant conditions affecting the internal and external genitalia may be diagnosed and treated or referred to a subspecialist as needed.