ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp, is of increasing public health importance, and Trichophyton tonsurans has become the primary causative agent in North America. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dermatophyte-positive scalp cultures among elementary schoolchildren in Cleveland, Ohio, describe predisposing factors, and measure the antifungal susceptibility of isolates collected. OBSERVATIONS: A total of 937 children from 8 Cleveland elementary schools were cultured for the presence of dermatophytes; 122 children (13%), all of whom were African American, had dermatophyte-positive cultures of the scalp. Sixty percent of cases were asymptomatic, indicating a carrier state. Race, scaling, and the use of anti-dandruff shampoo were associated with increased likelihood of infection. T tonsurans was the only organism isolated (except 1 Microsporum canis isolate). All isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine. CONCLUSIONS: T tonsurans was the predominant dermatophyte isolated. Further multicenter studies are needed to confirm the predominance of dermatophyte-positive scalp cultures among African American children and to determine modifiable and preventable risk factors.
Subject(s)
Tinea Capitis/epidemiology , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Ohio/epidemiology , Prevalence , Tinea Capitis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Lichen planus (LP) in children is a rare entity. We report 23 cases of childhood LP seen over a period of 7 years. Ninety-six percent of the children were of Arab ancestry. There were 52% boys and 48% girls. Classic LP was the most common clinical variant (70%), followed by eruptive generalized LP (13%). A majority of the patients had mild, localized disease. Oral involvement was seen in 39% of patients. Topical steroids were the mainstay of treatment in most of the cases. Children with chronic and recurrent disease responded to dapsone therapy, whereas in those with eruptive and widespread disease, UVB phototherapy was found to be safe and effective. The present report highlights the salient clinical features, treatment, and course of LP in children in Kuwait compared to those reported in children of other countries as well as those of adults.
Subject(s)
Lichen Planus/diagnosis , Administration, Topical , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Glucocorticoids , Humans , Kuwait , Lichen Planus/drug therapy , Lichen Planus/radiotherapy , Male , Ultraviolet TherapyABSTRACT
Skin diseases are common in children. However, only a very few prospective epidemiologic surveys are available in the literature. The present survey was directed at determining the spectrum and pattern of skin diseases of children in Kuwait. A total of 10,000 consecutive new patients were studied; 96% were children of Arab descent. A female preponderance (52%) was observed, and infants constituted the largest group within the patient population (28.7%). A total of 162 dermatoses were recorded. Atopic dermatitis was the most prevalent dermatosis (31.3%), followed by viral warts (13.1%), alopecia areata (6.7%), pityriasis alba (5.25%), psoriasis (4%), and diaper dermatitis (4%). Atopic dermatitis was the most frequently seen dermatosis in children of all age groups, whereas, viral warts were more prevalent in school-age children. The prevalence of alopecia areata and psoriasis was higher than reported earlier in other ethnic groups. A female preponderance was seen in children with alopecia areata, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, contact dermatitis, and pityriasis rosea. Dermatitis, superficial cutaneous infections, and nevi/nevoid disorders were the important groups studied.
