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Images/Instrument in Dermatology/Dermatosurgery
2023
:3;
76
doi:
10.25259/CSDM_180_2022

Whitish nodules on the maxillary alveolar ridge in a neonate

Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

*Corresponding author: Deepak Yumnam, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. deepakyumnam@gmail.com

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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, transform, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

How to cite this article: Yumnam D, Moirangthem A. Whitish nodules on the maxillary alveolar ridge in a neonate. CosmoDerma 2023;3:76.

A term 3 kg female healthy neonate was brought to us for the evaluation of multiple, small, white, and round lesions on the gingival surface. Intraoral examination revealed multiple discrete pearly white nodules clustered along the center of the upper alveolar ridge [Figure 1]. These were firm to hard on touch and varied from 1 to 5 mm in size. No other abnormality was seen in any other parts of the oral cavity. The lesions did not interfere with the infant’s breastfeeding. Based on the clinical presentation and the characteristic appearance of the lesion, a diagnosis of Bohn’s nodules was made. As the lesion is self-limiting, the child was kept under observation after giving reassurance to the parents.

Multiple soft to firm whitish nodules (Bohn’s nodules) on the maxillary alveolar ridge.
Figure 1:
Multiple soft to firm whitish nodules (Bohn’s nodules) on the maxillary alveolar ridge.

Bohn’s nodules are keratin cysts derived from remnants of odontogenic epithelium or minor salivary glands. They occur on the junction of the hard and soft palate and along the alveolar ridges, more commonly on the maxillary than the mandibular. These nodules are self-limiting, rarely seen after 3 months of age.[1]

They must be differentiated from other developmental oral inclusion cysts (Epstein pearl and gingival cyst) and natal/neonatal teeth which are commonly located along the midpalatine raphe, mandibular anterior region and mandibular ridge (as central incisors), respectively.[2] Therefore, recognition of the lesion is essential to avoid unnecessary treatment. Parents should be given reassurance regarding the innocuous nature and self-limiting course of the nodules to relieve their anxiety.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

References

  1. . Bohn’s nodules, Epstein’s pearls, and gingival cysts of the newborn: A new etiology and classification. J Okla Dent Assoc. 2010;101:32-3.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. . Clinical perspectives on premature tooth eruption and cyst formation in neonates. Pediatr Dermatol. 1984;1:301-6.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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