DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF LEPROSY ON CHILDREN − REGARDING A CASE

Leprosy is an endemic disease in Brazil and constitutes a serious public health problem. The delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to irreversible sequelae. In children, the diagnosis requires a careful scrutiny, given the difficulty of implementation and interpretation of sensibility testing. The treatment in this age group demands attention, with adequate doses of anti-leprosy drugs to the patient's weight, a factor that contributes to the reduction of adverse effects and promotes adherence to treatment. The authors present a case of tuberculoid leprosy in a 3 year old child and discuss the multidrug therapy recommended by Brazil’s Health Ministry.