Spectrum of paediatric dermatosis among patients: A cross-sectional study from Telangana

Background: Although skin disease is rarely lethal, in delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment some infections, for example bacterial infections, have the potential for serious sequelae such as nephritis, carditis, arthritis, and septicemia. On the other hand, skin diseases particularly in children may result in considerable discomfort, parental anxiety, and embarrassment to the child and unnecessary absence from school. This in turn leads to loss of confidence and disruption of social relations, feeling of stigmatization and major changes in lifestyle. Objectives: To know the spectrum of paediatric dermatosis among patients and its age wise distribution presenting to OPD in tertiary care hospital. Methodology: Present cross-sectional observational study was carried out involving 2000 children younger than 18 years presenting with new skin conditions. Results: Bacterial infections were the most common, with 258 cases (12.9%), indicating that bacterial etiology contributed the highest proportion among all categories. There is statistically significant association found between age and bacterial infection (p<0.001). There is statistically significant association found between age and bacterial infection (p<0.001). There is statistically significant association found between age and fungal infection (p<0.001). There is no statistically significant association found between age and fungal infection (p<0.001). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of dermatoses in the children in our study is 70.7% which is because of rural area and low socioeconomic status of the population in our area. Infectious dermatoses were seen in 35.25% of subjects. Non-infectious dermatoses were seen in 35.45% of subjects.