A PROFILE OF SKIN DISORDERS IN CHILDREN IN SAURASHTRA

: Four hundred children, up to the age of 12 years, attending dermatological outpatients' department (OPD) in Irwin group of hospitals, Jamnagar were studied in detail. Desired investigations were done in addition to routine blood, urine, and stool examinations. Maximum number of cases (43.50%) were found in school going children. Highest number of cases were of skin infections (83.25%) followed by allergic (8.5%) and miscellaneous disorders (8.25%). Out of 333 cases of skin infections, 137 (41.14%) were of pyoderma, 113 (33.93%) of parasitic infections, 45 (13.51%) of fungal infections and 35 (10.51%) of viral infections. Amongst allergic disorders, atopic dermatitis was commonest followed by papular urticaria, unclassified eczema and contact dermatitis. Thirteen types of miscellaneous disorders (33 cases) were noted. Commonest being vitiligo (8 cases) and epidermolysis bullosa and ichthyosis, 6 cases each. Unhygienic living conditions seem to be an important factor responsible for higher incidence of skin infections in developing countries.