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Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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Three-Month-Old with a Cyst on Her Ovary
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Greenfield,
My three-month-old niece was just diagnosed with a cyst on her ovary. Can you tell me what this means? Is this common? Will she always have problems such as this since it started so early? Is there any treatment?

— Concerned Aunt

ANSWER
April 25, 2001
Dear Concerned Aunt,
Since the advent of ultrasound, we have found that ovarian cysts are quite common in little girls and usually resolve without treatment. That said, in rare cases, surgery is required due to the large size or irregular consistency of a cyst (judged by ultrasound). Surgery also may be recommended if the child is having symptoms from the cyst, such as abdominal pain or difficulty with urination.

The treatment and follow up will be best judged by the doctors caring for her, based on her specific situation. An ovarian cyst in a little girl would not be expected to lead to gynecological problems later in life. I hope this answers your questions.

— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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