Saturday, December 30, 2006

Depressing Reality

Dear Colleagues,

Please help me with a 4 year-old lad who was referred today by his GP for genital warts. A court-appointed foster parent brought him in for evaluation. His 21 year-old mother left him recently with relatives. She is an inattentive parent with an alcohol and possibly a drug problem. The child was in pre-school but was suspended a few days ago because he was using sexually explicit language, being physically abusive to his peers, discussing French kissing and saying he was going to shoot himself.

The exam showed a quiet, calm and health 4 year-old. The only findings were lobulated and verrucous flesh-coloured papules grouped on the shaft of the penis. There were no bruises or evidence of trauma.

Diagnosis: Condyloma acuminata.

Photos were removed at advice of a pediatrician. Apparently, FBI may moniter some sites. Gets my Canadian soul anxious!

Discussion:
Although genital warts in children can occur in the absence of child sexual abuse, this case is suspicious. The child's broken home, the fact that he has been left with numerous teenage girls as baby sitters, his sexually explicit language, his antisocial behavior and language all are red flags for a child at risk.

Here, in Nova Scotia, we are mandated to report such children to the authorities. I would like to ask wo questions:

1) Your opinion as to whether reporting this child is appropriate.
2) How should he be treated?
a) electrosurgery under general anesthesia
b) cryo therapy
c) imiquimod or podophyllin.

Your thoughts and comments are most welcome.

Hamish Dunwoodie, M.D. FRCPC - Paediatrics
Moncton, NS, Canada

2 comments:

  1. Sharquie KE, Al-Waiz MM, Al-Nuaimy AA.
    Condylomata acuminata in infants and young children. Topical podophyllin an effective therapy.
    Saudi Med J. 2005 Mar;26(3):502-3.
    This case should be reported as sexaul abuse and treated by podophyllin 10-15% in benzoin co. every 5 days until full rcovery.
    khalifa sharquie

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree this case should be reported as sexual abuse. But need to look into local social factors -the capability of the local authorities handling these cases and the psychological impact on the child.

    I have a similar case recently - a young boy with perianal warts. I tried topical podophyllin but it quickly relapses. You can use a combination of liquid nitrogen and podophyllin and it works well.

    Henry Foong FRCP

    ReplyDelete

We welcome your comments. We endeavor to serve your patients and you. If you want us to respond, please add your name and email address. Some people have trouble uploading comments. In that case, please send comments directly to djelpern@gmail.com. Thank you.