Following a histologic review of 108 patients with childhood lymphoma from 20 hospitals in the Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Kyoto prefectures of Japan during the period 1964-1989, 16 cases (15%) were classified as follicular center cell (FCC) lymphomas. None had a follicular pattern of proliferation. The age range was from 2 to 15 years (median 10) with no peak incidence. The male/female ratio was 1.3:1. Presentation was nodal in 10 patients and extranodal in 6. Chronic infection and other predisposing factors for the development of FCC lymphomas in childhood are discussed, with a review of the literature.