Infantile stomatitis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Infantile stomatitis is an inflammation of the lining of the mouth that can affect the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, throat and/or roof of the mouth, causing symptoms such as canker sores or wounds, pain, high fever and irritability.

Infantile stomatitis can arise as a consequence of virus infections, mainly herpes simplex virus type 1, and can affect babies or children aged 6 months to 5 years. See other causes of stomatitis in babies.

It is important to consult your pediatrician whenever symptoms suggestive of childhood stomatitis appear so that the cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated, which can be done with the use of analgesic and antipyretic medications, for example, to relieve pain and reduce fever. .

Children’s stomatitis symptoms

The main symptoms of childhood stomatitis are:

• Canker sores or lesions in the mouth, measuring 1 to 5 mm, white, yellowish or gray in color, with reddish edges;
• High fever above 38ºC;
• Mouth pain;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Decreased appetite and thirst;
• Irritability;
• Feeling of general malaise;
• Sores on the lips;
• Mouth sores that may contain pus;
• Bad breath.

These symptoms can appear at the same time and generally appear around 5 days after infection, and it is important to take the child to the pediatrician so that the diagnosis can be made and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be started. In general, the symptoms of infantile stomatitis are more common in babies or children aged 6 months to 5 years.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of childhood stomatitis is made by the pediatrician through clinical assessment of the child, appearance, size and characteristics of the lesions, mouth ulcers or sores, as well as the symptoms presented.

This way, the pediatrician can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best treatment, if necessary.

Possible causes

The main cause of childhood stomatitis is infection with herpes simplex virus type 1, which can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with another infected child or adult, this infection being known as herpetic gingivostomatitis.

In addition, childhood stomatitis can also be caused by the coxsackie virus, which can be transmitted from person to person or through contaminated food or objects, causing hand-foot-mouth syndrome. In this case, other associated symptoms may appear, such as blisters on the hands or feet. Understand better what hand-foot-mouth syndrome is.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of childhood stomatitis should be guided by a pediatrician who may recommend the use of analgesic and antipyretic medications, such as paracetamol or children’s dipyrone, to relieve pain and reduce fever.

Furthermore, if necessary, the pediatrician may recommend the use of antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, if childhood stomatitis was caused by the herpes simplex virus. These remedies help mouth wounds heal faster, preventing the formation of new wounds or lesions, but should only be used if recommended by your pediatrician.

Care during treatment

During the treatment of childhood stomatitis, certain precautions should also be taken to alleviate discomfort and speed up recovery, such as:

• Clean the inside of the child’s mouth with clean, dry gauze;
• Use a soft toothbrush and suitable for the child’s age, avoiding brushing teeth too intensely;
• Use a children’s toothpaste according to the child’s age;
• Wash the child’s hands frequently;
• Keep toys clean and sanitized and do not share with other children;
• Do not share cutlery or objects with other children;
• Avoid letting the child put their hand in their mouth or touching your eyes and nose (especially in the case of herpes simplex) to avoid spreading the virus to these areas.

In addition, the child should be offered foods that are colder and easier to swallow, such as juices, soups, yogurt or ice cream, and offer water frequently, to keep the child hydrated and avoid complications such as dehydration. See the main soft and easy-to-swallow foods.

During treatment, it is also important that the child does not go to school or daycare to avoid transmitting childhood stomatitis to other children.

Possible complications

Infantile stomatitis can cause complications such as infection of other parts of the body, particularly the nose or eyes, especially when caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Additionally, the child may become dehydrated due to loss of appetite, decreased thirst, and difficulty swallowing. Know how to identify the symptoms of dehydration.

Due to the risk of these complications, it is important to always take the child to the pediatrician as soon as symptoms suggestive of childhood stomatitis appear, so that the most appropriate treatment can be carried out, reducing the risk of complications.