Abstract
Objective: Scabies is one of the diseases that can be minimized with preventive health measures. Accurate diagnosis of scabies is important for both patient and public health. Diagnosis of scabies in children can be challenging, since the clinical features in children may differ from those of adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with scabies in childhood.
Material and Methods: The patients aged 0-18 years, who were diagnosed with scabies and presented to the dermatology outpatient clinic of our hospital, were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients, time of admission, duration of symptoms, family history, the presence of specific lesions, and any lesions on the scalp, face, palmoplantar region, laboratory findings (if any), previous hospital admissions, treatment, and complications were recorded retrospectively.
Results: Fifty six of the 104 patients were male (53.8%) and 48 were female (46.2%). The mean age was 5.82±5.21 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 2.41±2.24 months. Eighty four patients had a family history of scabies (80.7%). Seventy patients (67.3%) had at least one specific lesion of scabies. Atypical sites of involvement were palmoplantar region (33.6%), head (6.7%), and face (2.8%). The most commonly used diagnostic tool was dermatoscopy. Forty-one patients were treated with permethrin 5% lotion (39.4%) and 63 with sulfur ointment (60.5%). Of all admissions to the hospital, admissions were highest in fall (40.4%), followed by winter (30.8%), summer (18.2%), and spring (10.6%). Eight patients developed complications (7.6%), including 5 with impetigo and 3 with paronychia.
Conclusion: Scabies is an important health issue that can be treated with an accurate and prompt diagnosis. It was observed that the head, face, palms, and soles often are involved in infants and very young children, unlike adults. Therefore, clinicians should consider the clinical differences between adults and children in the management of scabies in children. Also, dermatoscopy is a practical and effective diagnostic tool especially in infants and young children with scabies.
Keywords: childhood, dermatoscopy, scabies
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