Rectovaginal fistula?

My daughter had a rectovaginal fistula. She was 10 years old and died from leukemia. But i have reason to believe she was molested and that the same person also molested my other daughter..I was just wondering what are the causes of this type of fistula and could it be that the fistula was caused by her being molested?? This is very important please dont be mean with your answers. thank you

I would say that it certainly could be possible - especially in a girl that young, and especially if there was repeated molestation. Fistulas, if not congenital, usually are a consequence of traumatic injury or severe infection and abscesses. Certainly her leukemia (especially if she were getting chemo) could have played a role. This is all speculation at this point. You would need to discuss it with her physicians.

im not really sure if it could be from sexual molestation...but here are the causes of rectovaginal fistula

Rectovaginal fistulae are often the result of trauma during childbirth (in which case it is known as obstetric fistula) in situations where there is inadequate health care, such as in some poor third world countries. Rates in Eritrea are estimated as high as 350 per 100,000 vaginal births. Women with rectovaginal fistulae are often stigmatized in these countries, and become outcasts.

Women in the West suffer similarly, mainly due to the fact that most people do not take the condition seriously. As such, discussing the disorder publicly is not something that many women feel they can do.

Rectovaginal fistulae can also be symptoms of various diseases, including infection by Lymphogranuloma venereum, or the unintended result of surgery, such as episiotomy or sexual reassignment surgery. They may present as a complication of vaginal surgery, including vaginal hysterectomy. They are a recognized presentation of rectal carcinoma or rarely diverticular disease of the bowel or Crohn's disease. They are seen rarely after radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer.

Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery. So, there could be a slight possibility her problem was the result of molestation. Depends on what actually happened. It would probably be best to consult with a Doctor more familiar with this problem. Then you may even want to speak with a law-enforcement forensics type person, who could have actual case history on this. This all I know, sorry.

A 10 year old wouldn't usually have a rectovaginal fistula, that would be rare to say the least. She would need to have suffered some rectal or vaginal trauma that caused an injury to develope between these 2 closely placed anatomical structures. Yes, it could have been caused by sexual trauma. Only usual causes are trauma to the rectal or vaginal area.

This must be difficult to think about, let alone discuss online. My thoughts are with you. Hope it helps.

HI Kelly........My name is Tim, I stopped by to answer your question, or try to, because for one thing I'll bet not very many women would even know what it is, even women who've been pregger's. Don't worry, other than myself, I don't remember ever hearing other men talk about or even beginning to know what it is. Being a medic in Viet-Nam, and an all around bookworm when it comes to things Medical, I've seen a number of fistula cases. Because of it's local, population, average yearly income, an enormous birth rate, Viet-Namese women had a high rate of fistulas....enough small talk.....I've looked through my Graves Anatomy, and checked some sites I know of, fistulas are almost never caused by molestation. In every definition, I could find, that is either not mentioned, or the very last listed cause of about 1-2%. Now, that's not to say your daughter wasn't molested, you would know more about that. I hope this gives you some comfort and peace of mind.....I'm so sorry for your loss.