Background. Human papillomaviruses, or HPV, are etiologic agents of all types of warts, including those associated with sexual transmission. Although previously rare in children, condylomata acuminata in the mouth have been reported for the past 10 to 15 years, and the possibility of sexual abuse needs to be considered.
Case Description. A 4-year-old boy with poor dental health presented with a wartlike mass on his upper lip, as well as two similar penile lesions. The lesions, cauliflowerlike and pedunculated in appearance, were excised, underwent biopsies and were subtyped via in situ hybridization. All of the lesions tested positive for HPV subtypes 6 and 11, which are the subtypes most often associated with anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata). Although both parents reported having genital warts, the specific mode of transmission to the child was not determined.
Clinical Implications. Cases of oral condylomata acuminata in children need to be treated as possible instances of sexual abuse, and it is incumbent on the dentist to alert the appropriate community agency for follow-up.
