Skin tuberculosis in children: learning from India

Dermatol Clin. 2008 Apr;26(2):285-94, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2007.11.006.

Abstract

Cutaneous tuberculosis in children is a major health problem in India. It accounts for about 1.5% of all the cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Scrofuloderma and lupus vulgaris are the two most common forms of tuberculosis. However, the trend in the pattern of cutaneous tuberculosis is changing, as the tuberculid, lichen scrofulosorum, has become more common in recent years. Overall, the clinical patterns are comparable with adults. However, children can have widespread and severe involvement because many unusual and uncommon patterns are known to occur in children. Underlying systemic involvement is more common in children, compared with adults.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage*
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Child
  • Child Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
  • Erythema Induratum / diagnosis
  • Erythema Induratum / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Lichenoid Eruptions / diagnosis
  • Lichenoid Eruptions / drug therapy
  • Lupus Vulgaris / diagnosis
  • Lupus Vulgaris / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Primary Prevention / methods
  • Tuberculin Test
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • BCG Vaccine