Anogenital warts in prepubertal children: pathogenesis, HPV typing and management

The incidence of anogenital warts in prepubertal children is increasing. Modes of transmission of human papillomavirus to the anogenital area include perinatal, autoinoculation and heteroinoculation, sexual abuse and possibly indirect transmission via fomites. It was previously thought that childhood sexual abuse was the most common mode of transmission and human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 were most often detected. More recent studies, however, would suggest that perinatal infection and autoinoculation or heteroinoculation may be much more prevalent than originally thought. It has been increasingly reported that human papillomavirus type 2 is present in a significant proportion of cases. Assessment of children should be multidisciplinary and sexual abuse should be considered in every case. Treatment modalities, although similar to adult disease, are particularly dependent on individual factors. In view of the as yet unknown risk of subsequent anogenital neoplasia it is recommended that individuals should have regular follow-up on a long-term basis.