Extent and pattern of paediatric dermatoses in rural areas of central India.

A house to house study was done on 666 children aged 0-14 years in 5 villages of Wardha district in Maharastra (Central India). 346 children (51.95%) had one or more dermatoses. Infective dermatoses contributed 63.5% of all dermatoses, while noninfectious and nutritional deficiency dermatoses were responsibile for 21.2% and 15.2%, respectively. Pediculosis capitis was seen in 136 children (20.4%), followed by pyoderma in 107 (16.07%) and dematophytosis in 44 (6.61%). Scabies was found in only 6 and 4 cases of leprosy were also delected. Pityriasis alba, pityriasis capitis amond non-infectious; hair and skin changes among nutritional deficiency dermatoses were leading presentations.