Dermatológia pre prax 3/2022

Anogenital warts in children

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are common pathogens associated with a wide range of cutaneous and mucosal infections. Clinically, HPV may manifest as condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts). In adults anogenital infection caused by HPV has become one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In children anogenital warts are problematic in that child sexual abuse is a potential means of acquisition, but majority of cases are acquired in a non-sexual way. Vertical transmission from mother to infant during birth is well recognized and postnatal acquisition by non-sexual heteroinoculation or autoinoculation also can occur. The likelihood of sexual abuse as the mode of transmission of the infection increases with increasing age in childhood. The evaluation of the possibility of sexual abuse should be carefully considered in all cases where there are other signs of possible maltreatment of the child present. Most anogenital warts regress spontaneously over the course of 12 to 24 months. Treatment may be necessary when warts are symptomatic or last for more than two years. Various treatment options are currently available, but only some of them are suitable also for children.

Keywords: condylomata acuminata, child, transmission of infection, sexual abuse, therapy