Publication:

A clinico-aetiological study of diaper area dermatoses in children

Background Diaper area dermatoses is a broad term used to describe various skin conditions that can occur in diaper area. Dermatoses in diaper area can occur as primary disease, as part of a generalised inflammatory skin disease, or as part of a systemic disease.

Methods One hundred and thirty children below five years with eruptions involving the diaper area were enrolled in the study. A detailed history, general physical examination and dermatological examination was done and recorded in a proforma. Tests such as Tzanck smear, skin biopsy, KOH preparation, culture sensitivity, Gram staining and appropriate hematological investigations were done whenever necessary depending on the presenting condition.

Results A total of twenty three (23) various dermatoses were encountered. Irritant contact dermatitis (22.3%) was the most common dermatoses, followed by scabies (14.6%), impetigo (13.8%) and papular urticaria (11.5%). Aetiological analysis revealed that majority (28.5%) of dermatoses belonged to infection group followed by inflammatory (26.15%) and arthropod bite (26.15%) groups. Amongst the infective dermatoses, bacterial infection (14.61%) was most common entity followed by viral (10.76%) and fungal infection (3.1%).

Conclusions Our study emphasizes various dermatoses in diaper area in paediatric population and proves that aetiology is multifactorial and is not because of diaper alone.