Korean J Dermatol.  2024 May;62(4):198-205.

Clinical Findings and Severity of Periorificial Dermatitis: Comparison between Children and Adults

• Kim TR
• Kim Y
• Won SH
• Bae KN
• Lee J
• Shin K
• Kim H
• Kim B
• Kim MB
• Ko H

Abstract

Background
Periorificial dermatitis (POD) is an acneiform or rosacea-like eruption that occurs in children and adults. Although POD is not rare, studies investigating its clinical characteristics and severity, particularly during childhood, have not been well conducted.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the clinical findings and severity of POD and the differences between childhood and adult POD.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and clinical photographs of 131 patients diagnosed with POD in the Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital over a 17-year period (2003∼2019).
Results
Among 131 patients, 23 (17.6%) were children and 108 (82.4%) were adults. The mean age was 9.0 years (2.4∼17 years) and 43.9 years (19∼79 years), respectively. The male-to-female ratio was lower in adults with POD (1:2.6) than in children with POD (1:0.9). The involvement of the periocular area was more frequent in childhood POD (47.8%) than in adult POD (17.6%), although the involvement rates of the perinasal, perioral, and extrafacial areas were not different. When we checked the PeriOral Dermatitis Severity Index (PODSI), it was higher in adults (4.3±1.5) than in children (3.2±2.0). The clinical course according to age, sex, treatment, and severity did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion
Although the sample size of childhood POD was small, this study identified that the periocular area was more frequently involved and PODSI was lower in childhood POD than in adult POD.

Keyword

Adult; Child; Perioral dermatitis; Periorificial dermatitis