Prevalence of skin diseases in pre-school children aged 0 - 7 years in 12 cities of China

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of skin diseases in pre-school children aged 0 - 7 years in cities of China. Methods From November 2014 to April 2015, 12 cities were chosen as survey spots, and pre-school children aged 0 - 7 years served as respondents. A population-based study was conducted, and 40 vaccination clinics and 80 kindergartens were selected by stratified random sampling. A questionnaire survey and dermatological examination were performed by trained dermatologists. Results A total of 20 033 pre-school children received questionnaires, whose age was 2.41 ± 1.82 years (range, 0.08-6.83 years) . Among these respondents, 7 823 children were found to have skin diseases, with the total prevalence of skin diseases being 39.05% (7 823/20 033) . Additionally, the prevalence of skin diseases reported in the 12 cities from high to low was as follows: 66.96% (612/914, Dalian) , 56.73% (2 310/4 072, Shanghai) , 55.49% (556/1 002, Wuhan) , 49.18% (390/793, Taiyuan) , 47.16% (316/670, Chengdu) , 41.93% (566/1 350, Nanjing) , 41.03% (318/775, Chongqing) , 35.98% (240/667, Hefei) , 33.87% (677/1 999, Shenzhen) , 31.37% (554/1 766, Changsha) , 23.52% (1 107/4 706, Beijing) , 13.42% (177/1 319, Shenyang) . Totally, 40 kinds of skin diseases were investigated, and the 10 most common skin diseases were eczema/infantile eczema/atopic dermatitis (18.71%, 3 749/20 033) , ichthyosis vulgaris (6.25%, 1 253/20 033) , lichen pilaris (5.73%, 1 148/20 033) , diaper dermatitis (5.29%, 1 059/20 033) , papular urticaria (5.25%, 1 052/20 033) , hemangioma/vascular malformation (3.86%, 774/20 033) , pityriasis alba (3.45%, 691/20 033) , infectious skin diseases (2.59%, 519/20 033) , urticaria (1.71%, 344/20 033) and contact dermatitis (0.5%, 100/20 033) . Conclusion The total prevalence of skin diseases among pre-school children in cities of China is 39.05%, and eczema/atopic dermatitis is the most common skin disease. Key words: Child, preschool; Skin diseases; Cross-sectional studies