Pattern of pediatric dermatoses and seasonal variations in a tertiary referral center in central India

Skin diseases in the pediatric population are common worldwide, including rural and urban areas. There is a variation in the pattern and presentation of dermatoses, with eczemas being the most common skin disorder in developed countries and infestations in the developing countries. To study pattern, age-gender wise distribution and seasonal variations of various pediatric dermatoses.

All children in the age group of 1-12 years of either sex were recruited in the dermatology outpatient department from November 2014 to October 2016.

Infections and Infestations were the most common dermatoses (46.3%), followed by dermatitis and eczema (20.24%). Among, the most common types of infections and infestations were scabies (33.49%), followed by viral (30.4%), and bacterial (23.3%) infections. Impetigo (P<0.001), furunculosis (P=0.025), molluscumcontagiosum (P<0.001), hand foot mouth disease (P=0.004) and atopic dermatitis (P=0.003) were significantly higher in the age group of 1 4 years. We also found a significant association between the seasonal variation and the bacterial infections, pediculosis and varicella.

In our study, skin infections and infestations outnumbered other pediatric dermatoses. These are potentially controllable and hence strategies that target infections and infestations may be a key to an efficient child health care program.