AbstractBackground: Superficial fungal infections are common in children and adolescents, particularly in areas with poor hygiene and close environmental exposure. These infections can range from mild conditions, such as tinea capitis and tinea corporis, to more serious forms like candidiasis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of superficial fungal infections in children and adolescents and to explore the contributing demographic and environmental factors.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 400 participants aged between 1 to 14 years attending the Pediatric and Dermatology outpatient departments of Sree Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, over one year study period, i.e., from March 2017 to February 2018. Data was collected through clinical examinations, and samples were analyzed using potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy and fungal culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar.
Results: The overall prevalence of superficial fungal infections was found to be 31%. Tinea capitis was the most common infection, accounting for 43.5% of cases, followed by tinea corporis (29%). The prevalence was higher among children aged 6-12 years (39%) and in males (38%) compared to females (24%). Rural participants had a significantly higher prevalence of infections (36%) than urban participants (28%) (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of superficial fungal infections in children, particularly in rural areas and among males. Tinea capitis was the predominant infection, particularly in rural settings. These findings suggest the need for targeted public health interventions focusing on hygiene and early diagnosis, especially in high-risk populations.