Abstract

ABSTRACT Skin diseases are common among children. However, only few epidemiological surveys are available in the literature. This study was conducted at Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital to determine the spectrum and pattern of skin diseases among children attended the pediatric outpatient clinic in this hospital. The study was carried out from January 2002 to January 2004. The total number of those children who had been examined was1251 with skin disorders and many of them had more than one disorder resulting in1274 skin disorders. The infections and infestations together were the most common (44.2%). The eczema / dermatitis constituted (39.0%) followed by bacterial infection (13.6%), parasitic infestations (13.2%), viral infections (9.6%) and fungal infections (7.8%). Atopic dermatitis was the most common type of eczema in children which constituted 12.5%. The most common disorders among infants was diaper dermatitis (31.3%), while in preschool and school age groups were impetigo (13.0%) and pityriasis alba (11.2%) respectively. The study documents that skin diseases in childhood are common and these data may be useful in planning for health care for children.