Riga-Fede disease in a child.

Riga-Fede disease (RFD) was initially described as a benign ulceration of the lingual frenum or tongue of infants, most commonly resulting from repetitive trauma by natal teeth. However, similar clinical manifestations can also be found in children with repetitive tongue-thrusting habits or certain neurological disorders. This report describes an unusual case of RFD in a 6-year-old Chinese boy. The lesion appeared as an ulcer on the anterior ventral surface of the child's tongue, and was caused by a repetitive tongue-thrusting habit. After eliminating the source of repetitive trauma and starting concurrent use of therapeutic drugs for 1 week, the lesion healed completely.