02173nas a2200169 4500000000100000008004100001653002200042653004100064653001200105100001400117700001400131245008100145856006900226300001200295490000600307520169000313 2017 d10aChildhood leprosy10aClinicohistopathological correlation10aleprosy1 aMolugan M1 aSingh R P00aA study of leprosy in children and its clinico histopathological correlation uhttps://wwjournals.com/index.php/ijar/article/viewFile/7057/6998 a263-2640 v73 a
Background: Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind and is still associated with stigma. A high child proportion signifies active and recent transmission of the disease.
Aim: To study the clinical pattern and its clinicohistopathological features of leprosy in children.
Methodology: All (n=22) children in the age group 1-18 years with signs and symptoms suggestive of leprosy who attended the outdoor of pediatrics and dermatology and children admitted in our hospital in the period of January 2011 and august 2012 were included in the study. All subjects and their attendants were interviewed thoroughly for history, in depth clinical examination of patients was done and all patients were investigated with skin biopsy and slit skin smear.
Results: Majority of patients belonged to age group of 10 to 18 years (72.7%), with male preponderance. 40.91 % patients gave family history of leprosy. 72.27 % of patients belonged to PB type, 22.73 % MB type. Slit skin smear was positive in 36.36 %. According to clinical characteristics, majority of patients belonged to BT (40.91 %) followed by BB (31.81%). According to histopathological characteristics majority of patients belonged to BT followed by BB. Clinicohistopathological correlation in TT Hansen's is 100%, in BT 88 %.Deformities were observed in 18.18 % patients.
Conclusion: Despite statistical elimination of leprosy, childhood leprosy still remains public health problem. Early detection, treatment and contact tracing are important for reducing the burden of leprosy in the community.