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Herpes simplex oesophagitis in young children
The Medical Journal of Australia
|June 23, 1986
Insights
Herpes simplex type 1 can cause severe esophagitis in healthy children. This diagnosis is crucial for children experiencing acute swallowing pain when other causes are ruled out.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Herpes simplex esophagitis typically affects immunocompromised individuals.
- Esophagitis presents as inflammation of the esophagus, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.
Observation:
- Two cases of severe, self-limiting esophagitis in immunocompetent children are presented.
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was identified as the causative agent in both cases.
Findings:
- HSV-1 can cause severe esophagitis even in healthy young children.
- The condition was severe but resolved without specific antiviral treatment.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider HSV-1 esophagitis in the differential diagnosis of acute severe odynophagia in children.
- Early consideration of this viral cause can aid in appropriate patient management and prevent unnecessary investigations.
Abstract:
Herpes simplex oesophagitis is usually associated with debilitated, traumatized or immunologically-compromised hosts. We report here two cases of severe self-limiting oesophagitis in immunologically competent young children that were caused by herpes simplex type 1. This diagnosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute severe pain on swallowing in children for whom oral and pharyngeal pathology have been excluded.