Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid presenting as desquamative gingivitis in a 14-year-old child.

A 14-year-old girl presented with painful, erythematous gingivae, which occasionally developed blisters. There were no other mucosal or skin lesions. Clinical, histopathological and immunofluorescence studies suggested a diagnosis of benign mucous membrane (cicatricial) pemphigoid, presenting as desquamative gingivitis. Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid in childhood is rare and only a few cases with exclusive oral mucosal involvement have been reported in the literature. The desquamative gingivitis responded well to a topical steroid regimen.