The Pattern of Pre-adolescent Pediatric Dermatoses among Expatriates in UAE: A 6-month Study
Sinu Rose Mathachan, Selma Cholasseri, Nithin Tom Mathew, Kabir SardanaAbstract
Background:
The prevalence and pattern of pediatric dermatoses vary depending on the region, environmental factors, type of population studied, hygiene, and nutritional status. There is a paucity of data on the clinical patterns of childhood dermatoses among expatriates in the UAE.
Objective:
This study aims to identify the pattern of pediatric dermatoses, to assess the prevalence and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) evaluated at a dermatology outpatient department in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, and to compare the findings with similar surveys conducted in other countries.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study was performed on children up to 14 years old between December 2023 and May 2024. Data were collected from documented files stored in the system for each patient.
Results:
During the study period, 7397 patients were seen in dermatology consultations, with 998 children under 14 years of age. The majority of children seen were of Indian nationality (81.4%), followed by Pakistani (5.8%) and Filipino (3.5%). Other nationalities contributed 9.2%. Skin diseases were categorized, with allergic skin diseases being the most common group (57.41%). Other main categories included infectious diseases (22.9%), adnexal disorders (9.22%), papulosquamous disorders (2.00%), cysts and neoplasms (0.6%), vascular disorders (0.2%), genodermatoses (0.2%), disorders of pigmentation and nevi (1.9%), and miscellaneous (5.5%). Of the most common dermatoses, AD (30.26%), seborrheic dermatitis (6.01%), and pityriasis alba (6.01%), followed by acne vulgaris (5%) and viral warts (5%), topped the list.
Conclusion:
This study provides important data on the spectrum of skin diseases, especially the prevalence and severity of AD encountered in the pediatric age group, and the general approach to patients. Allergic skin diseases were the most common dermatoses in children residing in the UAE, while the majority of studies conducted in their native countries found infections and infestations to be the leading group of dermatoses.