A 20-year experience with acute and recurrent suppurative parotitis involving 46 children is described, and the pertinent literature is reviewed. Acute suppurative parotitis (a single attack) occurs in the newborn period, sporadically throughout the remainder of childhood, and in association with terminal illnesses. Recurrent suppurative parotitis occurs throughout childhood. It is not a self-limited disease, but may extend beyond puberty into late adolescence and adult life. The presently acceptable form of treatment consists of appropriate antibiotic therapy and sialography.