Traumatic Lingual Ulcer in a Child with Precocious Riga-Fede Disease: Case Report and Review of The Literature

We report on a case of traumatic lingual ulcer in a child with Riga-Fede disease discussing the treatment and focusing on the importance of an early diagnosis of this entity and the possible concomitant clinical and genetic associations, reviewing the most recent literature in regard. It is caused by repeated forward and backward movements of the tongue over the lower incisors in newborns and infants. It is most commonly associated with neonatal or natal teeth in newborns. These teeth can cause ulcers on the ventral surface of the tongue, lip, and the mother's breast characterizing the Riga-Fede disease. We reported a 2-month-old female who had an ulcerated area on the ventral surface of the tongue. Her mother complained of pain during breastfeeding and had to interrupt it. No biopsy was done in view of the particular site of the lesion and the clinical evidence of diagnosis. Based on these findings, the baby was diagnosed with Riga-Fede Disease. Indeed, a clinical consultation has been required to extract her teeth under local anesthesia and healing of the ulcerated area was observed within two weeks. At a following control, two weeks later, the lesion was fully recovered and the infant restarted feeding normally.