CLINICAL PATTERN OF DERMATOSES IN PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP”

• Dr Syed Salahuddin,  
• Dr Lalitha C,*  
• M Chandan Kumar Reddy

Abstract

Background: Children in India constitute a substantial portion of the population, with nearly half a billion children, about 40% of the total population. Skin diseases are prevalent among them, accounting for 30% of dermatologist and pediatrician visits. These conditions vary widely across regions due to factors like poverty, malnutrition, hygiene, and climatic influences. Pediatric dermatology addresses unique challenges in managing skin diseases from infancy to adolescence, necessitating tailored approaches distinct from adult care. Understanding these variations is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, ensuring optimal childhood health outcomes. Material & Method: A hospital-based clinical descriptive study was conducted at P.E.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kuppam, involving 600 children under the age of 16 clinically diagnosed with skin diseases from January 2016 to May 2017. The study included pediatric patients attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) and those referred from other departments, with exclusion criteria applied to patients unwilling to provide consent, receiving immunosuppressive therapy, HIV-positive individuals, and those with sexually transmitted infections. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional committee prior to commencement of the research. Discussion: This study highlights the variability of pediatric skin diseases influenced by climate, environment, diet, and socioeconomic factors. Our study found a male predominance (1.112:1), consistent with similar trends in Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India, Gujarat, Southwest Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. This suggests higher male susceptibility possibly due to environmental exposure or regional demographic dynamics. In contrast, North Kerala reported a lower male-to-female ratio (0.94:1), likely influenced by its higher female population. Factors contributing to male predominance in our study include dietary habits, environmental allergens, genetic predisposition, cool climate conditions, low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, harsh soap use, and insufficient awareness of moisturizer benefits. Conclusion: Pediatric dermatoses present varied challenges in diagnosis and treatment globally, affecting rural and urban populations differently. Our study categorized these conditions into fewer than eight groups, highlighting infections as most prevalent, followed by eczematous and pigmentary disorders. Disease distribution is influenced by age, gender, socioeconomic factors, family history, and seasonal variations. Effective strategies require enhancing public awareness, improving hygiene practices, and implementing targeted interventions based on regional epidemiology to reduce the burden and improve pediatric health outcomes. Keywords - pediatric , dermatoses

Keywords

pediatric , dermatoses