What should be suspected if Molluscum contagiosum is found in the genital area of children?

Molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection caused by a poxvirus, can present with lesions that appear as small, raised, pearly bumps on the skin. While it can affect any part of the body, the presence of these lesions specifically in the genital area of children warrants careful consideration.

When Molluscum contagiosum is found in this sensitive area, it raises concern for potential sexual abuse, particularly when there are no other explanations for its presence. This is due to the fact that the virus can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, and lesions occurring in the genital region without a known source may suggest an atypical transmission route, such as abuse. Hence, clinicians must approach such findings with caution and may need to investigate further to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

Although Molluscum contagiosum itself is not a sexually transmitted infection in the traditional sense and can spread through non-sexual contact, its atypical occurrence in children’s genital areas should prompt practitioners to consider the possibility of abuse and to conduct a thorough evaluation as part of their assessment.