A clinico-epidemiological study of pediatric leprosy in the urban leprosy center of a tertiary care institute

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of leprosy in the pediatric age group indirectly points to active disease in the community. Aim: The main objective of this study was to study the clinico-epidemiological features and prevalence of pediatric leprosy cases in our urban leprosy care center. Materials and Methods: This is an 18-year retrospective descriptive study of pediatric leprosy cases (1997–2014) done in the urban leprosy center of a tertiary care institute. Results: There were sixty cases of pediatric leprosy (n = 60) in this study. There were 41 males (68.33%) and 19 females (31.67%). The mean age was 8.34 years. The age group of 10–12 years accounted for the maximum number of cases, 25 (41.67%). The mean duration of illness was 0.89 year. Family history of leprosy was present in four cases (6.67%). The most common primary skin lesion was macule present in 43 cases (71.66%), with the upper extremities being the most common site involved. Sensory impairment was present in 39 cases (65%). Peripheral nerve thickening was present in 27 cases (45%). Borderline tuberculoid (BT) was the most common type of leprosy seen in 33 cases (55%). Lepra reactions were present in three cases (5%) and Grade 2 deformity was present in three cases (5%). Conclusions: This study showed a prevalence of 6.65% of pediatric leprosy cases. BT was the most common type of leprosy, and the prevalence of lepromatous leprosy, lepra reactions, and deformity was low.