Korean J Dermatol.  2006 Oct;44(10):1195-1202.

A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study of Pediatric Dermatoses in Gwangju, Jeonnam Province during the Last 5 Years (2000~2004): A Comparison with Previous Reports from the Same Area (1990~1994)

• Lee JH
• Yun SJ
• Lee JB
• Kim SJ
• Won YH
• Lee SC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of pediatric dermatoses shows a tendency to change as social development and the environment improve.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of pediatric dermatoses in Gwangju, Jeonnam province, and to compare the results with previous reports from the same area (1990~1994).
METHODS
New patients under 15 years of age, who visited the Department of Dermatology, Chonnam University Hospital from 2000 to 2004, were reviewed through the clinical records. The results were compared with the previous reports from the same area (1990~1994).
RESULTS
Of 25,428 new patients, 4,156 (16.3%) were pediatric patients. There was a male to female ratio of 1.12:1. The ten most common dermatoses were atopic dermatitis (13.0%), verruca (12.2%), vitiligo (7.2%), urticaria (6.2%), epidermal nevus (3.7%), fungal infection (3.5%), eczematoid dermatitis (3.5%), alopecia (2.9%), melanocytic nevus (2.6%) and contact dermatitis (2.6%). In the annual distribution, dermatoses showing an increasing tendency were identified as verruca, alopecia, epidermal nevus and melanocytic nevus.
CONCLUSION
The proportion of pediatric dermatoses with viral diseases and cosmetic problems such as alopecia and pigmented nevi appeared to be higher in comparison to the previous report. This might be largely due to the increase of cosmetic interest with accompanying emotional stress at school.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Pediatric dermatoses

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Dermatitis
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dermatitis, Contact
Dermatology
Epidemiologic Studies*
Epidemiology
Female
Gwangju*
Humans
Jeollanam-do*
Male
Nevus
Nevus, Pigmented
Skin Diseases*
Social Change
Stress, Psychological
Urticaria
Virus Diseases
Vitiligo
Warts