Clinical spectrum of dermatological disorders in children referred from pediatrics department

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, limited studies have been done to study the spectrum of dermatological referrals in children. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the spectrum of dermatological disorders in children referred from pediatrics department. Materials and Methods: It was a hospital-based observational study. Five hundred twenty-five children of either sex or age ≤18 years, in whom, parents had given written informed consent, and referred to Dermatology from Pediatric medicine department were included in this study. The diagnosis was made based on clinical features supported by necessary investigations. Working hours were considered as routine and emergency. Nelson' severity scoring system was used to classify children as sick. Results: Most of the children were referred during routine hours (85.7%), maximally from inpatient department (46%) followed by outpatient department (37%). Most common diagnosis was viral infections (21.2%), closely followed by eczematous disorders (17.6%) and disorders due to arthropods (17.1%). Majority of patients were not sick (83.61%). Pediatricians did not suggest any diagnosis in 70.85% of referrals followed by doubtful diagnosis in 26.85% and definitive diagnosis in 2.28% of patients. Conclusion: Majority of referrals were done during routine hours in nonsick patients. As many common easily treatable dermatoses were observed in all the referrals reiterating the fact that these referrals should be sought as early as possible to prevent unnecessary delays in the diagnosis and patient management. Furthermore, a robust dermatological training should be provided to undergraduates and interns to better equip the nondermatologists to diagnose common dermatological disorders.