Childhood psoriasis in Kuwait: a prospective survey

ABSTRACT

Ninety childhood psoriasis cases constituting 0.3% of the total of all new Dermatology out-patient cases were studied over a span of one year. Females outnumbered the males by a ratio of 1.81. The recent crisis in Kuwait was observed to have had an impact by virtue of the increased prevalence noted after the crisis. The age of onset ranged from the neonatal period to 12 years with a mean of 5.3 years. Plaque psoriasis was the commonest clinical variant [83%] followed by guttate psoriasis. Extensor surfaces of the extremities were the most commonly affected sites [73%] followed by trunk and scalp. Nail involvement was seen in 44% of the patients. A positive family history of the psoriasis was obtained in 26% of the children. Itching was the symptom most commonly complained of [81%]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of a positive throat culture and high ASO titre among childhood and adult psoriatics and childhood controls. High circulating immune complexes were seen in 52% of the patients