Clinical and Serologic Study of Herpes Zoster in Children and Adolescents in Gwangju-Jeonnam Province

Na, Chan Ho; Kim, Choong Jae; Shin, Bong Seok; Choi, Hoon; Kim, Min Sung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Herpes zoster is a common dermatologic disorder. However, it rarely occurs in children and adolescents in Gwangju-Jeonnam province.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological features and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in children and adolescents.
METHODS
A retrospective survey was conducted on patients who visited the department of dermatology of Chosun University Hospital in Gwangju-Jeonnam province within the past 8 years. The medical records of 103 patients aged <18 years were reviewed. We analyzed for age, gender, accompanying symptoms, dermatomal distribution, underlying disease, treatment, and complications with serologic test.
RESULTS
The male-to-female ratio of the participants was 1.08:1, and their mean age was 13.0 years. Underlying diseases were observed in 3% (3/102) of the patients. The most common dermatomal distribution was thoracic dermatome (34%), followed by trigeminal (26%), cervical (20%), lumbar (15%), and non-skin (6%). The most common accompanying symptoms were headache (10%), fever (3%), and myalgia (3%). No difference was observed between patients who were varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgM-positive and those who were VZV IgM-negative in terms of dermatome, visual analogue scale (VAS), severity, and body mass index (BMI).
CONCLUSION
In children and adolescents with herpes zoster, the gender ratio and dermatomal distribution were similar to those previously reported, except for the low rate of underlying diseases. The incidence of herpes zoster in children was not significantly associated with immunosuppression and underlying diseases. Higher VZV IgM titer was not associated with dermatomal distribution, higher VAS score, or BMI. This study first compared the serological test results of children.