Epidemiology and Clinical Pattern of Eczemas among Children and Adolescents – A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Desert Region of Western India

Abstract

Introduction: Eczemas in the pediatric age group are quite common. It has an impact not only on the child but also on the family. The chronicity and severity of these eczemas can affect the physical and mental growth of the child. Hence, the management includes medical treatment along with proper counseling of the patients and their family on the various precipitating/risk factors and their avoidance. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology and clinical pattern of various eczematous conditions occurring in children and adolescents in age group of 0–19 years in the dry desert areas of western India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a hospital-based setting in a desert district of western India over 1 year from November 2018 to October 2019. A total of 362 children out of 1389 pediatric dermatoses had eczematous disorders during the study period. Their data were collected and analyzed. Results: Endogenous eczemas were common than exogenous eczemas. Atopic dermatitis (30.1%) was found to be the most common type of eczema in this desert region of India, followed by seborrheic dermatitis (21.5%) and pityriasis alba (15.5%). Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis were the most commonly observed eczemas among children and adolescents in a desert region of India.