Clinico-etiological Profile of Childhood Erythroderma at a Tertiary Care Center in Eastern India: A Retrospective Record-based Study
Swetalina Pradhan, Rashid Shahid, Rakhee Gupta, Irene Mathews, Gaurav DashAbstract
Background:
Erythroderma presents as erythema and scaling with involvement of more than 90% body surface area. It is well documented in the literature in adults, but rare in pediatric patients. There are various underlying causes, such as drug reaction, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, ichthyosis, and infections.
Aims and Objectives:
To assess the clinico-etiological profile of children presenting with erythroderma.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective record-based study was conducted from April 2019 to August 2025 which was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Any child aged <18 years of either sex presenting in the dermatology department with erythroderma was included in our study. A detailed history, clinical examination, and biopsy, if needed, were performed previously to establish early diagnosis.
Results:
A total of 29 pediatric patients with erythroderma were included in the study. The most common cause in our study was found to be drug reaction (7, 24.1%), followed by atopic dermatitis (4, 13.8%) and psoriasis (3, 10.3%). Examination showed erythema and scaling in all patients. Diffuse scaling was seen over the scalp in 24 (82.75%) patients, with diffuse hair loss in 8 (27.58%) patients. Mucosal changes were seen in 19 (65.5%) patients. Nail involvement was observed in 9 (31.03%) patients.
Conclusion:
Erythroderma is a dermatological emergency needing prompt intervention. Hence, proper history and meticulous clinical examination are imperative to establish early diagnosis and thus early management.