The Pattern Of Skin Diseases Among Kindergarten Children In Baghdad. A Comparative Study Between Two Surveys Five Years Apart

Abstract

Background: In developing countries, the skin diseases are one of the most common causes of morbidity among children.Aim: The aim was to determine the pattern of skin diseases among children attending the kindergartens in Baghdad and to determine the changes in this pattern five years after.Methods: A descriptive, comparative study between two surveys five years apart was conducted. Two surveys were done; one during 2011 and the second in 2016 including kindergarten children in eight randomly chosen kindergartens in Baghdad. The total number of children was 216.Number of children enrolled in each survey was 108. Children were assessed by history and examination performed by dermatologist. Results: In the first survey; the noninfectious diseases outnumber the infectious diseases; with pityriasis alba being the most common noninfectious disease and impetigo contagiosum being the most common infectious disease.In the second survey; the infectious diseases outnumber the noninfectious diseases; with scabies being the most common infectious disease and atopic dermatitis being the most common noninfectious disease.Conclusion: There is a shift in the dermatological disease pattern among kindergarten children from non infectious towards infectious diseases, with a noticed increase in the frequency of scabies and molluscum contagiosum.