A cross sectional study of nutritional dermatoses among malnourished children in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Nutritional deficiencies are most prevalent in underdeveloped and developing countries of the world. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of the skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. The objective was to study the various cutaneous spectrums of nutritional deficiency (ND) in children. Methods: A total of 100 malnourished children were included over a period of 6 months. Preliminary data of children regarding age, start of complementary feeding, maternal education, and parity were recorded. All children were examined thoroughly for the presence of cutaneous, mucosal, hair, and nail changes. Results: Majority were in the age group of 6–24 months, followed by 25–36 months. M:F ratio was 1:1.1. Majority of mothers were illiterate (43%). Only 8% babies were bottle-fed and complementary feeding was started in 56% of children between the months of 6 and 12. Seventy percent children were born to multiparous mothers. Approximately 50% children were of low-birth weight. Ninety-four percent of families resided in the rural areas. The cutaneous features seen include xerodermia (58%), lusterless hair (53%), pigmentary changes (36%), loss of subcutaneous fat (31%), flag sign (29%), angular cheilities (20%), etc. Other features seen were monkey-like facies (4%), long eyelashes (16%), ichthyotic and lichenoid skin changes (16%), and flaky paint dermatosis (2%). Conclusions: The most common cutaneous feature seen was xerodermia and least frequent one was flaky paint dermatosis. Many cases of ND are diagnosed only after evident skin changes. There is significant morbidity and sometimes mortality associated with certain nutritional deficiencies. Their prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment by clinicians are of great importance.