Children with condylomata acuminata

Background - The modes of transmission of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in children are controversial. Studies have varied in reporting suspicion of sexual abuse in children with condylomata acuminata from zero to 90.9%. Possible modes of transmission include sexual, from mother to infant in utero, passage through an infected birth canal, infection of a nongenital type virus to the genital area, and nonsexual acquisition from a fomite. Methods - Seven children, ranging in age from 2 to 12 years, who had genital HPV infections were assessed for sexual abuse. An interview with each child was conducted and an examination with a colposcope of the external genitalia was performed. A shave biopsy of a representative genital lesion was obtained. The tissue was sent for HPV typing. Results - Six of the children had perianal warts; the seventh had a labial lesion. Five of the children (71%) had been sexually abused as determined by the history, physical examination, or an investigation by Child Protective Services. Five had HPV type 6 or 11, one had HPV type 16 or 18, and one had a novel HPV type. Conclusions - Genital types of HPV (6 or 11, 16 or 18, and others) should alert the family physician to proceed with a careful assessment for sexual abuse. This study supports the findings of other reports that genital HPV infection can be the result of sexual abuse and points out the usefulness of HPV typing.