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Herpetic gingivostomatitis and teething difficulty in infants
D L King1, W Steinhauer, F García-Godoy
1University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is often mistaken for infant teething. This study found a high prevalence of HSV in infants with teething symptoms, suggesting it should be considered in diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Teething in infants is commonly associated with specific signs and symptoms.
- Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis, caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), can present with oral discomfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in symptoms attributed to infant teething.
- To determine the prevalence of HSV in infants experiencing teething difficulties.
Main Methods:
- Oral swab samples were collected from 20 infants with teething symptoms (Group A) and 20 healthy controls (Group B).
- Samples were tested for the presence of HSV.
- Infants' temperatures and oral status were recorded.
Main Results:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was detected in 45% of infants with teething symptoms (9 out of 20).
- Of those positive for HSV, 78% had elevated temperatures and visible oral infections.
- All control infants were negative for HSV, fever, and oral infections.
Conclusions:
- Oral HSV infection is a likely cause of symptoms often attributed to infant teething.
- Herpetic gingivostomatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for infants presenting with teething difficulties.
Abstract:
This investigation was conducted to determine whether primary herpetic gingivostomatitis may be responsible for those signs and symptoms commonly attributed to teething in infants. Twenty infants presenting with a parental diagnosis which indicated teething difficulty were included in this study (Group A). Twenty infants who were in no distress served as controls (Group B). Oral swab samples were obtained from each infant and then processed to ascertain the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Each infant's temperature and oral status also were recorded. Nine subjects in Group A (45%) were positive for HSV. Of these nine, seven had elevated temperatures (less than 100 degrees F) and all had signs of oral infection of varying severity. Of the 11 subjects in Group A who were negative for HSV, five had elevated temperatures, but none showed evidence of oral infection. Subjects in Group B were all negative for HSV, elevated temperature, and signs of oral infection. Results of this study suggest that oral HSV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of infants presenting with a parental diagnosis of teething difficulty.