Study of Patterns of Dermatoses in Paediatric Attendees of a Tertiary Care Hospital at Pune

Abstract

Background: Dermatological problems in pediatric population constitute at least one third of all outpatient visits to pediatricians and dermatologists, associated with significant morbidity. There is a relative paucity of data calculating the prevalence of pediatric dermatoses in developing countries like India with low socioeconomic factors, poor hygiene and malnutrition being the contributing factors. Aim and Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of dermatoses in pediatric attendees of our tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: Nine hundred four pediatric patients aged 0-18 years attending the dermatology outpatient department and those from emergency referral of our tertiary care hospital were enrolled in this cross-sectional type of observational study carried over a period of two years. Results: Our study included 497 males and 407 females aged 0-18 years. Patients with non–infectious dermatoses: 555 (61%) and those with infectious dermatoses: 349 (39%). Fungal infections (156, 45%) were the most common finding in infectious dermatoses; atopic eczema (99, 17.84%) being the commonest in non–infectious dermatoses. Conclusion: Our study reflects the various patterns of dermatoses among paediatric patients. This information would further help in creating awareness about common dermatoses that are easily preventable by maintaining proper self-care and good personal hygiene.

Keywords

• paediatric dermatoses
• dermatology referral
• prevalence