[Pediatric onychomycosis treated with oral antifungal drugs]

Pediatric onychomycosis is a rare disease and it is difficult to decide in such cases whether or not an oral antifungal is indicated. We have observed 6 pediatric cases with onychomycosis who were treated with fluconazole or itraconazole: four male and two female patients, ranging in age from three to 14 years. One patient suffered infection in the fingernails and toenails. The etiologic organism was identified as Trichophyton rubrum. The treatment regimen consisted of systemically administering fluconazole to four of the patients and itraconazole to the other two. Treatment resulted in three of the 4 patients treated with fluconazole, and one of the 2 treated with itraconazole being healed completely. The other two patients treated with fluconazole and itraconazole showed an alleviation of symptoms. Further results of our study were that while younger patients respond quickly and positively to treatment, long-term follow-up is necessary even after treatment ceases due to the easy recurrence of this condition.