Pattern of pediatric skin disorders in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Skin disorders are very common in children with a wide variety being seen among them. The spectrum of skin disorders seen in children vary from region to region. AIM OF THE WORK: The objective of the study was to determine the pattern of skin disorders among children in Pediatric dermatology clinic of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Subjects were consecutively recruited. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, demographic history of the subjects and history of skin disorders were obtained from all the subjects and detailed physical examination was carried out with particular emphasis on skin lesion examination. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: A total of 338 subjects were recruited. One hundred and seventy-three (51.2%) were males and 165 (48.8%) were females. Thirty-five (35) specific types of skin disorders were observed. the commonest category of skin disorders seen was infection and infestations (47%), followed by inflammatory skin disorders (36.9%) of the subjects. Tinea capitis was the commonest type of skin disorder observed among 15.5% of the subjects followed by atopic eczema (13.0%). Tinea capitis was significantly commoner among male children aged 6-10 years (p<0.01) and Miliaria was significantly commoner among children aged less than 2years (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Wide spectrum of skin disorders was seen among children in this environment with infections and infestations being the commonest category of skin disorders observed. (www.actabiomedica.it)