01784nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001653001500042653001200057653001400069653001500083653001300098653001100111100001400122700001300136700001500149700001500164700001300179700001300192245010100205520123400306022001401540       2014                            d10aPrevalence10aleprosy10aIncidence10aDisability10aChildren10aBrazil1 aSantos VS1 aSantos L1 aLôbo LV R1 aLemos LM D1 aGurgel R1 aCuevas L00aLeprosy and Disability in Children Younger than 15 Years in an Endemic Area of Northeast Brazil.3 a<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:: </strong>Leprosy in children is still a frequent but sometimes unrecognised public health problem and an important cause of disability. Establishing the risk factors that lead to the development of disability is important for the development of suitable prevention programs. We describe the incidence of leprosy and the prevalence and degree of associated disabilities in children &lt;15 years of age at the time of first presentation to the health services in Aracaju, Sergipe-Northeast Brazil.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS:: </strong>A retrospective case series of 266 cases of leprosy in children under 15 years-old of Aracaju from 2001 to 2012. Logistic regressions were performed to identify factors for disability.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS:: </strong>The average detection rate was 16.5/100,000 children under 15 years old per year over the study period. Physical disability was associated with the presence of affected nerves and multibacillary leprosy.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION:: </strong>The detection rate of leprosy in children is still high in Aracaju, Northeast Brazil. Having affected nerves and multibacillary leprosy are associated with the development of disability in children.</p>
  a1532-0987