ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of paediatric skin diseases varies worldwide. Paediatric dermatoses require a separate view from adult dermatoses as there are important differences in clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis. Their characterisation is essential for the preparation of academic, research and health plans. Aim: The study was carried out to find the incidence of skin diseases in children under 15 years of age. Methods: All children below 15 years of age attending dermatology outpatient department for first time were evaluated for various skin dermatoses. Skin diseases were classified into groups like infections and infestations, eczematous, non-infective dermatoses and hypersensitivity reactions. Results: Male children predominated with male female ratio 1.3:1. Infections and infestations were the most common (41.8%) cause of skin dermatoses followed by dermatitis (20.7%), non-infective & autoimmune dermatoses (13.4%) and hypersensitivity reactions seen in 10.8% patients. Miliaria and other physical dermatoses contributed to about 6% of the total cases. Conclusion: Majority of paediatric dermatoses can be grouped into 8 categories. Significant proportion of dermatoses are infectious and eczematous types. Infections are more prevalent in low socio-economic strata and with proper education and creating awareness they can be minimised to a significant extent.
ABSTRACT
Background: Skin diseases are common in infancy. This study aimed to determine to prevalence of various dermatoses in infancy in Uttarakhand. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of different dermatologic diseases in infant in Uttarakhand. Methods: A prospective study was carried out for one year from 06 Sep 2013 to 05 Sep 2014, to study prevalence and patterns of dermatological lesions in infants, a tertiary care health facility in Uttarakhand. A total of 234 infants of both sexes were seen during this period. Results: Of 234 patients 58.9% were males. Noninfectious dermatitis was the largest group of skin disorders in infancy, constituting 35.89% of total cases. Seborrheic dermatitis was commonest type of non-infectious dermatitis in infancy (42.85%) followed by atopic dermatitis (19.04%), Ptyriasis alba (14.28 %), contact and diaper dermatitis (7.14% each). Seborrheic dermatitis did not display any gender or seasonal bias. Infectious/ parasitic infestations formed second largest group of dermatoses in infants (26.92%) with commonest being fungal infections (49% cases of infectious group) followed by parasitic infestations (26.98%). Bacterial and viral infections were formed only 12.69% and 11.11% of infectious group cases. Nonfungal and nonparasitic infections showed higher incidence in summers. Conclusion: Out of 234 infants who attended paediatric dermatology clinic, major dermatoses were of noninfectious origin with seborrheic dermatitis forming largest group. Infectious etiology dermatoses constituted second major group with fungal and parasitic etiology. Nonfungal and non-parasitic dermatoses showed higher prevalence in summer months.