ORAL PALATINE ULCERS OF A TRAUMATIC NATURE IN INFANTS - BEDNARS APHTHAE

The authors present five cases of large palatine ulcers of a traumatic nature in infants, with duration from two weeks to four months. Causa l diagnosis was difficult at first until the possibility of trauma cau sed by non-orthodontic nipples (all cases) and dummies (4) - Bednar's aphthae - was considered. Other problems related to sucking were obser ved: a horizontal position for nursing (all) and very narrow nipple ho le (4). The infants' mothers were advised to enlarge the orifice in th e nipple and correct the position for nursing (3 cases) and, in additi on, to suspend use of a dummy (1 case) and discontinue use of a bottle and dummy (1 case). All of the ulcers healed within a period from one to four weeks. Small scars remained in two of the children.