Childhood psoriasis: an epidemiologic survey of 112 patients

One hundred and twelve cases of childhood psoriasis, constituting 5% of all psoriasis patients registered in our clinic, were studied over a period of nine years (January 1980 to December 1988). There were 57 male and 55 female patients. Age of onset ranged from 1 month to 13 years, with a mean and median age of 7 years. A positive family history of psoriasis was elicited from 9.8% of patients. The commonest form of psoriasis found was plaque (69.6%), followed by guttate (25.9%). Infection was the most common triggering factor, occurring in 15.2% of cases. Many of these findings are at variance with observations reported elsewhere for this age group.