Superficial Fungal Infections in Children

Abstract

Objective : The study was performed to determine the prevalence and the demographic characteristics of patients, who were diagnosed with superficial fungal infection at the dermatology department of two centers, and compare their epidemiologic data to those reported in the literature. Material and Method : Files of 20716 children, between 0 and 16 years of age, who presented to the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic between 2011 and 2015, were investigated retrospectively. Of these, 518 children, diagnosed with superficial fungal infection, were evaluated with respect to age, gender, presence of systemic disease and demographics. The diagnosis and the laboratory investigations performed were recorded Results : There were 251 girls (48%) and 267 boys (52%), diagnosed with superficial fungal infection. 8 types of superficial fungal infection were detected in 518 patients (2.5%). Assessment by age group revealed the following: 8.4% of the infection were observed between 0 and 2 years of age (n=44), 16.9% were observed (n=88) between 3 and 5 years of age, 34.9% were observed (n=181) between 6 and 11 years of age and 39.5% were observed between 11 and 16 years of age (n=205). Tinea corporis(26%, n=136) and pityriasis versicolor (19%, n=99), candidiasis (17%, n=86) and tinea pedis (14%, n=72) were the most commonly detected ones. Conclusion: While superficial fungal infections occur less in children compared to adults, early diagnosis and treatment is important due to potentially permanent complications. In addition, with respect to preventive medicine, being aware of the factors that would reduce transmission would prevent occurrence of complications.