Pattern of skin diseases in patients attending pediatric outdoor patient of a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of skin diseases among patients visiting the Pediatric outpatient department of tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Outpatient, Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Period: August 2023 to February 2024. Methods: Children up to age of 12 years, attending the outpatient department for skin disorders were included in the study. Consultants with Postgraduate qualifications in Pediatrics made the diagnosis & consultations from Dermatology department were also obtained. Results: A total of 300 patients were included in the study, consisting of 60% males and 40% females, with a mean age of 2.29 years (± 1.19 years). The age group distribution indicated that 34% of participants (n=102) were under 1 year of age, while 27.3% (n=82) were between the ages of 6 to 10 years. Infectious diseases and infestations were the most prevalent skin conditions, affecting 66.36% of participants. This was followed by eczema (n=46,15.33%), hypersensitivity (n=22,7.33%), and disorders of sweat and sebaceous glands (n=23,7.66). Among the infections, bacterial infections were the most common (23%), followed by fungal infections (18.33%) and viral infections (6.3%). Conclusion: Infections and infestations together constituted 66.36% of the cases. Bacterial infections, along with scabies and fungal infections were the most common disorders observed followed by eczematous disorders. Education regarding good hygiene and proper care can eventually help.