To determine an appropriate focus score cutoff for childhood Sjögren syndrome (SS).
Labial salivary gland tissue from specimens from children with SS and age-matched controls was retrospectively identified and reviewed by a blinded oral pathologist.
The presence of any focal sialadenitis (focus score > 0 foci/4 mm(2)) was common among childhood SS samples but present in only 1 of 8 control samples.
The presence of any focal lymphocytic sialadenitis in minor labial salivary gland tissue is suggestive of childhood SS and should be included in future childhood SS-specific diagnostic or classification criteria.