Condyloma acuminatum and human papilloma virus infection in the oral mucosa of children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of oral condylomas in children and condylomatous lesions of their mothers. Moreover, the authors sought to determine the mode of transmission of this disease and to find the genotype of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the children's oral condyloma.

METHODS: Nine instances of oral condyloma acuminatum in children and lesions in their mothers were reviewed. Their HPV genotypes were evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH).

RESULTS: This study revealed that the lesions appeared during 3 years of age and the most common location was the hard and soft palate. Seven of the 9 mothers had experienced vulva and/or oral cavity condylomata during pregnancy. Social evaluation confirmed sexual abuse in 1 girl, and probable sexual abuse in another girl. The results of ISH demonstrated HPV 16/18 DNA being positive in 5 of the 9 cases, and HPV 6 and HPV 11, HPV 6 and HPV 16/18, HPV 6, and HPV 11 DNA being positive, respectively, in 1 case. HPV DNA types in mother-child pairs were not concordant.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral condyloma acuminatum in children is probably induced by HPV 16/18. The mode of transmission by sexual abuse is the most likely route. Prenatal transmission of HPV to children is rare. This study provides further confirmation of possible different genotype and transmission in oral CA of children and adults.