Pediatric onychomycosis: a not-so-uncommon condition. A descriptive analysis of 285 samples.

INTRODUCTION

Superficial mycoses are among the most frequent reasons for consultation in pediatric patients, although involvement of certain sites, such as the nails, is considered unusual in this population.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The objective of this study was to evaluate their frequency and etiology through microbiological analysis of 285 samples obtained from different cutaneous sites according to clinical suspicion in pediatric patients from the same health care area in Madrid between 2021 and 2024.

RESULTS

Onychomycosis was the most frequent diagnosis in this pediatric cohort, exceeding other dermatomycoses typically observed in childhood, such as tinea capitis or tinea corporis.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding highlights an unusual trend in the epidemiology of pediatric superficial mycoses compared with what has been reported to date and may suggest the need to reassess diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in this population.