Human papillomavirus in the oral cavity of children and mode of delivery: a retrospective study

Our study aimed to examine the relationship between the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the oral cavity of children and their mode of delivery. We investigated the presence of HPV infection in oral biopsies from 190 children (mean age: 7 years, range: 2-14 years) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Sixteen of 190 children (8.4%) were HPV-positive, with no significant difference between those delivered vaginally and by Caesarean section (C-section). The majority of the HPV-positive children were infected with type 16, whereas in the younger age group HPV type 11 was detected more frequently in children delivered by normal vaginal delivery (NVD) than by C-section. Our findings demonstrate the presence of HPV in the oral cavity of children delivered by both C-section as well as NVD. Further research on the possible modes of transmission of oral HPV infection will enable us to understand the natural history of HPV infection in childhood.