Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Children with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Isfahan Province, Iran, during 2011-2015

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan called Leishmania that is transmitted by sand flies. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran.
This was a cross-sectional study on all children patients with age of five years and younger in Isfahan province during 2011 to 2015. Demographic and clinical characters of patients were presented as the number and percentage. The mean age of patients according to sex was compared using t test via SPSS software.
Findings: Of 1529 patients, 51.8% were boys, 56.0% were in rural areas, and 92.9% were Iranian. The mean age of patients (± SD) was 2.71 ± 1.5 years. The smallest patient was 2 months old. Most of the patients were in the age group of one year (20.4%) and the lowest were in the age group of less than one year (5.6%). Leishmania major was the most common (91.8%) cause of disease. Wound size at 63.37% of patients was more than 2 cm. In 11.2% of patients the number of wounds was equal or more than 4 wound. In children, face was the most common (33.7%) region of wound.
Leishmaniasis is endemic in Isfahan province, and children are in high risk for incidence of disease. However, the process for combating the animal reservoirs and mosquito vector should be considered as a priority to control the disease. Furthermore, the facilities should be provided for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of patients.