Treatment of Anogenital Warts in Children with Topical 0.05% Podofilox Gel and 5% Imiquimod Cream

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of 25 infants and young children with anogenital warts was performed by chart review and telephone interview. Fifteen of 17 patients treated with podofilox 0.5% gel and 6 of 8 patients treated with imiquimod 5% cream improved or cleared with therapy. Only one patient stopped treatment because of irritation. Our experience suggests that these agents can be used safely and effectively in young children. Controlled prospective studies should be undertaken to further evaluate the use of podofilox and imiquimod in the treatment of symptomatic anogenital warts in children.

How to manage children with anogenital warts

“…However, when studied for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children, while demonstrating no efficacy for this condition, neither were there any serious adverse events and local side effects were similar to those in adults. 4 Case reports and case series have reported successful treatment of AGW with imiquimod [5][6][7][8] which is consistent with our experience of treating these children, with full explanation and informed consent from the child (where appropriate and possible) and the person with parental responsibility for them.…”

Evidence-Based Treatment and Prevention of External Genital Warts in Female Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

“…25 In a retrospective study of 17 children treated with podophyllotoxin 0.5% gel, 15 of the patients had clearance of anogenital warts, 1 patient had no improvement, and 1 patient discontinued treatment because of pain. 36 In this study, 11 of the 17 patients were between ages 1 and 5, demonstrating that podophyllotoxin is tolerable and effective in young children. 36 Burning was the most common side effect (11 of 17 patients), and less common adverse reactions included pain, redness, erosions, edema, pruritis, and bleeding.…”

Série de Casos de Verruga Anogenital em Crianças Tratadas com Imiquimode

“…Os métodos físicos incluem a ablação cirúrgica, a eletrocoagulação, a crioterapia e a laserterapia. Como métodos químicos, podemos destacar o uso do ácido tricloroacético, da podofilina, da podofilotoxina, do interferon e do imiquimode [5][6][7][8] . Os métodos físicos são sempre muito dolorosos, resultando em cicatrizes, requerendo a necessidade de serem realizados em bloco cirúrgico com a presença do anestesista.…”