PREVALENCE OF SKIN PROBLEMS IN PAEDIATRIC GROUP BELOW THAN 12 YEARS OLD
Authors:   Consultant Dermatology & Venerology, In King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, KSA., Mustafa Al Arnauty Miaser , Abdullah Attia Najya ,   Assistant Professor &Consultant OfPediatric, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, KSA., Hammad Alshammari Khalid ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Walid Arif Yara ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Abdullah Alrashidi Hanan ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Mohammad Obeid Amenah ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., adnan Alfitni Wajd ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Jadah Asiri Khadijah ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Mohammed Babtain Aishah ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., saud Alqahtani Dayis ,   Service Doctor, MOH, KSA., Khalid Sagga Manar ,   Medical Intern, KAU, KSA., Saad Alharthi Amnah ,   Medical Student, KSA., Saeed Alqahtani Sarah ,   Medical Student, KSA., Manea Alraqea Bayader ,   Medical Student, KSA., fawaz Aloufi Alhanouf ,   Medical Student, KSA.
Published: January 2023

Background:Childrens skin illnesses are a significant cause of morbidity and may be impacted by regional, racial, social, cultural, and economic variables. Despite their global prevalence, skin disorders have not played a significant role in the development of public health initiatives. Methods: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of dermatological disorders among pediatric population at a single point of measurement as reported by parents. The most suitable design is cross-sectional study. It was descriptive and correlational study. This enables the researcher to measure the effect and the outcome at a single point of time. This study design gives reliable results with short time and less effort. The study was conducted at (place). The participants were selected during the period during October 2022. This study included children aged less than 12 years old via non-probability convenient sampling technique at a confidence level of 95% using Epi Info software equation. Results: The study included 1106 parents reporting dermatological disorders among their children. The most frequent dermatological disorders among children as reported by parents were cuts, scratches and grazes (n= 127, 11.5%). Cuts, scratches and grazes and insects bite was the most frequent combination of dermatological disorders among children (n= 108, 9.8%). There were 7% of children suffered from eczema (n= 77). Other dermatological disorders that children included in the current study suffered from are: Boils (n= 30, 2.7%), Cellulitis (= 24, 2.2%), Fifth disease (n= 12, 1.1%), Impetigo (n= 13, 1.2%), Herpes zoster (n= 12, 1.1%), Ring worm (n= 24, 2.2%), Warts (n= 10, 0.9%). The most frequent age group among children was 3-6 years (n= 357, 32.3%). Male to female ratio among children was very close and almost 1:1. There were 575 males (52%) and 531 females (48%). Conclusion:The group studied had a high frequency of skin irritation, infection, and insect bite reactions. Dermatological diseases are readily recognized, treated, and prevented. Many of the examined children had not sought medical help for the identified pathology, which may indicate a lack of access to health care. The studys strengths include its large sample size and age-focused epidemiology. Due to its methodology, this study, like many prevalence studies, cannot show causal relationships.This study reveals that its necessary to give fast access to health care services, enhance cleanliness in homes and public areas, and adopt preventive measures including complete vaccination and targeted fumigation.