Pattern of Paediatric Dermatoses: Cross sectional study from a Tertiary Care Center of Maharashtra

Background: Skin diseases (30% of outpatient visits) are a major health concern in children associated with significant morbidity. The spectrum of diseases range from transient physiological to chronic debilitating conditions. The pattern of dermatoses varies worldwide influenced by socio-cultural, hygiene, climate and geographic factors.

Aims: To study the  prevalence and pattern of paediatric dermatoses in our area. Study design and Setting: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Dermatology OPD of a Tertiary Referral Hospital of Maharashtra between January 2021 to June 2022.

Material and methods: Patients below 18 years  with dermatological manifestations were included afterEthical approval. The demographic data was recorded along with detailed clinical evaluation.  Statistical Analysis: The details were recorded in IBM SPSS software. Results were analysed and expressed in percentages.

Results: Among 300 patients, male preponderance was noted. Majority belonged to school- going age (154, 51.33%), followed by pre-school (53, 17.67%) and neonates(6, 2%). Most patients belonged to lower middle class (121, 40.33%). Infections and infestations (138,45.70%) were the most predominant dermatoses followed by eczemas (50,16.56%), Fungal infections were most commonly encountered (36.95%). Rare disorders like Pemphigus, Incontinentia pigmenti, Parry Romberg syndrome were noted. Infections and Infestations were the most common dermatoses among Infants(8,34.78%), preschool(35,66.03%) and school- age(80,51.94%) similarly eczemas(16,42.10%) predominated in toddlers, acne(10,38.46%) in adolescents and Erythema toxicum neonatorum (5, 83.33%) among neonates. 

Conclusion: Our study provides comprehensive information regarding epidemiological and clinical pattern of dermatoses among paediatric age group, demonstrating infections and infestations as the commonest dermatoses.