A study on clinical spectrum of pigmentary alterations among the pediatric population

Abstract

Background: Human skin color is the result of a complex interplay of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors and has great heterogeneity across the globe. It also carries an esthetic value with it, and any deviation from the normal may bear immense psychological and social implications, especially among the pediatric population where it can even be a sign of systemic diseases. Aim: The aim was to study clinical and epidemiological patterns of hyper and hypo/depigmentary disorders among children. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study where 250 individuals ≤18 years were taken up for the study. A detailed history and clinical examination was done, and relevant investigations were carried out. The data were statistically analyzed and inferences were drawn. Results: The females outnumbered the males with 136 females and 114 males. The youngest age noted was 3 months and the oldest was 17 years. There were 118 cases of hyperpigmentary disorders, and the rest 132 patients presented with hypopigmentary and depigmented disorders. The most common hyperpigmentary disorders seen were postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, periorbital melanoses, pigmentary mosaicism, and café au lait macules. Among the hypo/depigmentary disorders, most common were pityriasis alba (39, 29.5%), followed by vitiligo seen in (35, 26.5%) and postinflammatory hypopigmentation (30, 22.7%). Conclusion: This study helped us in giving a detailed insight regarding the pigmentary alterations among the pediatric population in this area, thus aiding in prompt diagnosis among various differentials. Various aggravating and predisposing factors were also noted down which could be helpful in the prevention of some of these conditions.

Keywords

• hyperpigmentation
• hypo/depigmentation
• pediatric
• skin color