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Dermatophytosis of children in Kuwait
1Department of Dermatology, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait.
Insights
Dermatophytosis affects children, with males and those aged 4-6 years most impacted. Microsporum canis is the leading cause, primarily manifesting as tinea capitis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Dermatophytosis is a common superficial fungal infection.
- Pediatric dermatophytosis requires specific epidemiological understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of dermatophytosis in children.
- To identify the most common fungal species and clinical presentations in pediatric cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric dermatology outpatients over five years.
- Inclusion of smear- and culture-positive cases of dermatophytosis.
- Data collection on patient demographics, causative agents, and clinical diagnoses.
Main Results:
- 556 pediatric cases represented 39.5% of all dermatophytosis cases.
- Males were more affected; peak incidence was in children aged 4-6 years.
- Microsporum canis (70.5%) was the predominant species, with tinea capitis (73.7%) being the most frequent clinical type.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric dermatophytosis is a significant concern, predominantly caused by Microsporum canis.
- Tinea capitis is the most common clinical manifestation in children.
- Understanding these patterns aids in targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Five hundred fifty-six children constituted 39.5% of total smear- and culture-positive cases of dermatophytosis and 0.6% of the total new dermatology outpatients seen over a period of five years. Males outnumbered females. The youngest child was a 20-day-old neonate (age range 20 days-12 yrs) with a peak of fungal infections seen in patients between 4 and 6 years of age. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent (70.5%) species, followed by Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton rubrum, and Epidermophyton floccosum. Rarely, other species were also isolated. Tinea capitis was the most common (73.7%) clinical type, followed by tinea corporis (19.1%), tinea faciei (3.4%), tinea cruris (3.4%), tinea pedis (0.9%), tinea unguium (0.9%), and tinea manus (0.2%). No racial variations were observed; however, the predominant species differed with the clinical types.