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

Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.