Question

A 4-year-old girl has been frequently clapping her legs since she was 3 years old. Is this behavior normal?

Answer

Hello, it is advisable to have a pediatric gynecological examination to rule out inflammation. The child may have a clitoral syndrome. Clitoral syndrome is a habitual action in children, characterized by clapping the legs and rubbing the genital area, most commonly seen in girls aged 1 to 3. During an attack, children will bend their legs or bring them together and perform slight rubbing or remain rigid. Some girls may also enjoy straddling chairs or pressing their lower abdomen against hard objects for rubbing up and down, accompanied by symptoms such as flushed cheeks, sweating, and a dazed look, and they may not want to be disturbed. This situation usually occurs when sleeping or waking up, and may occur once every few days or several times a day. The causes of clitoral syndrome may include local irritation, psychological factors, or other reasons, such as a tense family atmosphere, lack of maternal love, influence from pornographic materials or books. For the correction of this condition, the following points should be noted:

  1. Increase awareness: As soon as the child exhibits this symptom, it is recommended to consult a child psychology expert promptly.
  2. Do not scold or punish the child, nor should you forcibly stop the attack .
  3. Provide suitable toys and activities to help the child shift their attention.
  4. Create a comfortable and warm home environment.
  5. Avoid exposing the child to pornographic materials.