Clinical features in childhood herpes zoster and predisposing factors: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: Herpes Zoster is a disease characterized by vesicles with dermatomal distribution, resulting from the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster Virus. It is more common in older ages and in children with immunosuppression. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical features and predisposing factors of children diagnosed with Herpes Zoster. Materials and Methods: Data of the patients under 16 years of age that were diagnosed with Herpes zoster at our dermatology outpatient clinic were retrospectively evaluated between January 2015 and March 2021. Patients' age, gender, complaints, duration of complaints, varicella vaccines, chickenpox history, additional systemic diseases, accompanying viral infections and other predisposing factors were determined. In addition, dermatomal extent of the rash, treatments and complications were reviewed. Results: Out of 67 cases enrolled in the study; 44 (65.7%) were male and 23 (34.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 9.7 ± 2.9 years. The most common complaint was itching in the lesion area (44.8%). The most frequently involved dermatome was thoracic dermatome (56.7%). Immunosuppression or malignancy was not detected in any patient. Conjunctivitis developed in two cases and secondary bacterial infection in three cases. The most common predisposing factor was stress (38.8%). Conclusion: Herpes zoster is not a cutaneous indicator of an underlying immunosuppression or malignancy in children and has a good clinical course. The disease is mostly accompanied by predisposing factors such as stress, viral infections and sun exposure.