DERMATOPHYTOSIS OF CHILDREN IN KUWAIT: A PROSPECTIVE SURVEY

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis in children is widely reported, whereas there have been only isolated reports on involvement of sites other than the scalp. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiological features and treatment responses of dermatophytosis of children in Kuwait. METHODS: Epidemiological features and the treatment responses of 202 consecutive children with dermatophytosis were studied. RESULTS: The 202 children constituted 44% of the total dermatophytic infections seen during a period of 1 year. Tinea capitis was the most commonly encountered infection (78%), followed by tinea corporis, tinea faciei, tinea cruris and manus, respectively. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent species (96%) in this region. A history of pets at home could be elicited in 52% of the cases. A familial occurrence of similar infections was seen in 56% of the patients. In patients with tinea capitis, addition of topical clotrimazole or ketoconazole to oral griseofulvin produced better therapeutic results compared to griseofulvin alone or in combination with selenium sulfide shampoo. CONCLUSIONS: Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophytic infection in children. Thirty percent of the children may have dermatophytosis at sites other than the scalp. A combination of topical clotrimazole or ketoconazole with oral griseofulvin is superior to griseofulvin alone or in combination with selenium sulfide shampoo in the treatment of tinea capitis.