A CLINICO - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PEDIATRIC ACQUIRED FACIAL HYPOPIGMENTATION

Abstract

Background: Pigmentary disorders are believed to be the commonest group of dermatoses in Pediatric age group. Loss of pigment can have a profound psychological impact on the parents of the affected child. Aim: 1. To determine the prevalence and proportion of acquired hypopigmented skin lesions on the face. 2. To evaluate their etiology and clinical characteristics among the patients of pediatric age group (< 12years of age - facial lesions were found in 100 patients out of the 250 pediatric cases) visiting Department of Dermatology out - patient clinics of Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Teaching Hospital and Research Centre. Results: Hypopigmented lesions are most commonly seen at 4-6 yrs. of age (4.4%) with the onset below 1yr of age duration (1%) with male preponderance (8.2%). The most common symptom was asymptomatic in 40 cases (4%), followed by itching seen in 23 cases (2.3%), photosensitivity in 17 patients (1.7%), redness in 16 cases (1.6%), and loss of sensations in 4 cases (0.4%). In this study the most common disorder was pityriasis alba in 20 cases (2.0%), followed by post inammatory hypopigmentation in 12 cases with Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) (1.2 %) Atopic Dermatitis (AD) as 8 patients (0.8%), nutritional cause in 8 patients (0.8%), focal vitiligo 8 patients (0.8%) ACD (Allergic Contact Dermatitis) as 7 patients (0.7%), Tinea Facei 7 cases (0.7%), pityriasis versicolor in 6 (0.6%) cases, post infectious as after bacterial are 6 patients (0.6%), viral (0.6%), trauma after nail scratching as 4 patients (0.4%), Hansen's disease in 3 cases (0.3%) with indeterminate type 2 cases (0.2%), segmental 1 patient (0.1%), Borderline Leprosy as 1 case (0.1%). Cheeks (2.9%) are the commonest site on face followed by mouth (perioral) (2.2%), then forehead (1.3%), next periorbital (1.0%), peri nasal (0.9%) and chin, nally around ears (0.7%). Duration of less than 6months is seen in 80 cases (8%), then 20 cases (2%) seen after 12 months. Hypopigmentation encountered in Conclusion: the modern world is neither contagious nor dangerous, fear, anxiety and uncertainty continue to surround this problem for patient and physician alike pediatric age group are common occurrence group