Child prostitution, like other forms of child sexual abuse, is not only a cause of death and high morbidity in millions of children, but also a gross violation of their rights and dignity.

Both boys and girls can be prostituted and, according to the report, some of the children are as young as 10 years old.

Most of these children are exploited by local men, although some are also prostituted by pedophiles and foreign tourists.

In their report, the investigators estimate the number of children exploited by prostitution is highest in India with estimates between 400,000 and 575,000; Brazil is second with estimates between 100,000 and 500,000; the US is third with 300,000 children; and in fourth place is Thailand and China with 200,000 children each.

With regard to illnesses, worldwide, millions of children are infected with sexually transmitted diseases, have abortions, attempt suicide and are raped each year. In parts of southeast Asia, 50% to 90% of children rescued from brothels are infected with HIV.

A coordinated international campaign is needed to prevent child prostitution, provide services to children who are prostituted until they can be removed from prostitution, and implement effective recovery and reintegration programs.

For such a campaign to be successful, it will require global coordination, implementation at national, regional and community levels, and the leadership of many health professionals.

The Lancet April 20, 2002;359:1417-1421