MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Epstein pearls

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Epstein pearls

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Alternative names

Gingival cysts of the newborn

Definition Return to top

Epstein pearls are a whitish-yellow accumulation of keratin containing epithelial cells on the gums and hard palate of a newborn baby.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Epstein pearls occur only in the newborn and are very common, seen in approximately 80% of newborns. On the gums, they sometimes resemble emerging teeth. The condition is harmless although it sometimes worries new mothers.

Symptoms Return to top

whitish-yellow nodules appearing on the gums or the roof of the mouth in a newborn

Signs and tests Return to top

Examination of the infant confirms that these are Epstein pearls and not teeth present at birth (natal teeth).

Treatment Return to top

No treatment is necessary.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Epstein pearls disappear within 1 to 2 weeks of birth.

Complications Return to top

There are often no complications.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

(If you are concerned about Epstein pearls in your infant, discuss it with your health care provider during a routine well-baby examination.)

Update Date: 10/30/2003

Updated by: Philip L. Graham III, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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