Childhood leprosy: A retrospective descriptive study from Delhi

Abstract

Background: Childhood leprosy is an important marker of the status of the ongoing leprosy control program, as it is an indicator of active disease transmission in the community. Despite achievement of elimination status of leprosy in 2005, the reported prevalence of childhood cases continues to be high. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 10-year records of leprosy patients aged <15 years in a tertiary care hospital of central Delhi was carried out from 2005 to 2015. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 system. Results: A total of 113 (7.6%) cases of childhood were reported during the 10-year period from 2005 to 2015. Multibacillary cases constituted a total of 57 (50.4%) cases, whereas paucibacillary constituted 56 (49.5%) cases. The M:F ratio noted was 2.5:1. Signs of reaction were noted among 15% of cases, while deformity was noted in 24.7% of cases. Conclusion: The rate of childhood leprosy continues to be high. Lack of proper access to health facilities, ignorance among the general population, high susceptibility due to immature immune system, etc., make this population highly vulnerable.

Keywords

• Childhood leprosy
• current scenario of leprosy
• retrospective analysis