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The Papilloma Virus in Children

Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) transmitted from mother to child during childbirth can lead to a chronic respiratory infection called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; common effects include warts in the mouth and throat. Children can also develop HPV symptoms in the genital and anal regions; this is often but not always the result of sexual abuse.

  1. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

    • A mother who has HPV types 6, 11 or sometimes 16 can pass the virus on to her child either before or at birth, according to the International Recurrent Respiratory Information-Support-Advocacy Center). This can lead to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a condition that causes HPV lesions to grow in the throat. These lesions can lead to difficulty breathing and many children must undergo many surgical procedures to prevent a closing off the airway.

    Transmission

    • RRP is not a contagious condition, and others may safely interact with children who have RRP. This is because HPV is not generally capable of infecting the throat and seems to be able to so almost exclusively in children born to infected mothers. A very small group of adults develop HPV infection of the throat, but not through contact with children who have RRP.

    Prevention

    • Pregnant woman should be tested for HPV. Those who are found to have HPV may be counseled to consider having a C-section to reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to their children. However, Rosen, et al., note that some children do develop infection before birth, in which case a C-section cannot prevent transmission.

    Anogenital Warts

    • Some children develop warts on the genitals or anus as a result of HPV infection. It is possible for this to result from being born to a mother with HPV, although sexual abuse is commonly confirmed or suspected in cases of young children with anogenital HPV warts, according to Mary Wu Chang, MD.

    Other Warts

    • Some types of HPV cause warts like common warts, plantar warts and flat warts. Children are very commonly exposed to these types of HPV and may develop warts during childhood or later as a result of such exposure.

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