Abstract :
Background: This study aimed to evaluate pediatric dermatoses based on clinical diagnosis and seasonal variation at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. Informed consent was obtained, and histories recorded; diagnoses were based on physical examination. It included 271 patients aged 3–15 years, with a mean age of 7.93 ± 3.52 years (range: 3–15) and a median of 8 years (IQR: 5–10). The highest prevalence was in children aged 3–6 years, with a balanced gender distribution. Cases peaked during monsoon and summer. Infections, especially viral, were most common, with scabies being the leading diagnosis.
Materials and Methods: Patients aged 3-15 years who visited the dermatology OPD were selected. Informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians, and their medical, family, and treatment histories were recorded. A thorough physical examination was conducted to reach a diagnosis.
Results: The study included 271 patients, mostly younger children (mean age: 7.93 ± 3.52 years; range: 3–15; median: 8 years; IQR: 5–10).Participants included 51.5% males and 48.5% females, showing a balanced gender distribution. Distribution of participants by season, cases were highest in monsoon (32.6%) and summer (31.9%), with fewer in winter (24.4%) and post-monsoon (11.1%). Distribution of participants by disease group shows, Viral infections as the most common (21.1%), followed by parasitic infestations (13.0%), eczema (11.1%), and fungal infections (10.0%), with other disorders also observed.
Conclusion: The study found higher cases of pediatric dermatoses in children aged 3-6 years, with a balanced gender distribution. More cases occurred in monsoon and summer. Viral infections were most common, with scabies as the leading diagnosis, followed by chicken pox, insect bite hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, hand-foot-mouth disease, and verruca vulgaris.
Keyword :
Pediatric dermatoses, Teritiary care centre, Children, India, Chennai