A cross-sectional study of pediatric dermatoses in a specialized pigment and skin-of-color center in Australia.

Abstract

There is a paucity of literature on pediatric skin conditions in skin of color, of which old epidemiological data are likely to become outdated as the ethnic diversity in developed countries such as Australia continues to grow. We analyzed the prevalence of presenting conditions of pediatric patients with skin of color attending an urban dermatology clinic in Melbourne, Australia over an 18-month period. The major presenting issues were vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and acne vulgaris, the majority of which did not significantly differ by ethnicity; however, there was a statistically significantly higher proportion of Chinese and Indian patients presenting with atopic dermatitis. Given the varying presentations of these conditions in skin of color, our findings highlight the importance of increasing education for dermatologists and health personnel in pigmentary disorders and the need for further focused studies comparing the prevalence of skin disease across ethnicities.