Genital HPV in Children and Adolescents: Does Sexual Activity Make a Difference?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection among prepubertal children, sexually active and not sexually active adolescents, and assess potential risk factors for transmission.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Outpatient adolescent health clinic.


METHODS
Ninety-five girls aged 2-21 years; 38 sexually active adolescents (group A), 28 not sexually active adolescents (group B), and 29 prepubertal children (group C).


METHODS
Participants' vaginal or cervical specimens were tested for HPV with the CLART HPV 2 assay (Clinical Array Technology, Genomica, Madrid, Spain) and for cytological abnormalities with liquid-based cytology.


METHODS
Differences in prevalence of low- and high-risk HPV infections among the 3 groups.


RESULTS
Genital HPV was detected in 37.9% (36/95) of all participants; 47.4% (18/38) of group A, 28.6% (8/28) of group B, and 34.5% (10/29)of group C (P = .27). Multiple HPV infection was detected in 26.3% (10/38), 10.7% (3/28), and 13.8% (4/29) of groups A, B, and C, respectively (P = .21). High-risk genotypes were detected in 47.4% (18/38), 28.6% (8/28), and 24.1% (7/29) of groups A, B, and C, respectively (P = .10). Main high-risk genotypes were HPV 16 (27%, 10/37), HPV 31 (21.6%, 8/37 ), HPV 35 (13.5%, 5/37), HPV 53 (13.5%, 5/37), and low-risk HPV 6 (18.9%, 7/37). Sexual activity was associated with increased risk for genital high-risk HPV infection (odds ratio = 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-9.78); specifically with HPV 33 and HPV 51. Forty percent of sexually active adolescents with normal cervical cytology were infected with high-risk HPV types. Family history of skin HPV was positively associated with genital HPV in the sexually active group (odds ratio = 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-3.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Timeline and target population for HPV vaccination might need to be reappraised, in view of significant nonsexual transmission of genital HPV so early in childhood.
Center for Adolescent Medicine and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: bacopouf@hotmail.com.
Flora
F
Bacopoulou
Department of Cytopathology, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Petros
P
Karakitsos
Department of Cytopathology, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Christine
C
Kottaridi
Center for Adolescent Medicine and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Charikleia
C
Stefanaki
Center for Adolescent Medicine and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Efthymios
E
Deligeoroglou
Center for Adolescent Medicine and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Kalliopi
K
Theodoridou
Center for Adolescent Medicine and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
George P
GP
Chrousos
Division of Infectious Diseases, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Athanasios
A
Michos
D000293:Adolescent; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescents; Children; Epidemiology; Greece; HPV; Prepubertal girls; Sexual activity