An observational pilot study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and morbidity profile of childhood contacts of leprosy in an endemic area (Chengalpattu) in India. A total of 70 such children were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected using a one-to-one interview method and the children were evaluated by dermatologists qualified in paediatric leprosy. The obtained data were computed. Three children were diagnosed to have leprosy through this study. Nutritional status assessment in these children demonstrated malnutrition, a common finding. Regular contact screening of children in endemic areas for early case detection, disability prevention and thereby prevention of community transmission is mandatory. Further research is needed concerning the role of malnutrition in children and its relation to morbidity in leprosy. The closeness and duration of contact of leprosy is also an important risk factor. Effective strategies to diagnose subclinical infection are needed.

Introduction: Childhood leprosy reflects upon the disease transmission in the community. So, this study aimed to find out the children with contact to leprosy in their surroundings, prevalence of leprosy or subclinical infections in them and to assess their nutritional status. The study was conducted for 2 months and analysed 70 children in the rural community who were living with a household contact of leprosy.Methods: 70 children in the rural areas surrounding Chengalpattu living with leprosy contacts were selected for carrying out the study. Information regarding their demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, environmental conditions, feeding practices, food habits and any present health problems or in the recent past were collected. The children were then subjected to anthropometric measurements. The children were clinically evaluated by a dermatologist qualified in paediatric leprosy and children who were diagnosed as cases of leprosy were classified according to Ridley-Jopling classification. Slit skin smears for acid fast bacilli was done in all children with suspicious skin lesions.Results:Out of the 70 children taken into the study, 41 were boys and 29 were girls. 7-22% of boys and 3-6% of girls and overall,4-15% children are severely malnourished. 19 out of the 70 children had clinical pallor. Among the 70 leprosy contact children, 3 children were diagnosed to have leprosy (4.28%).Of the 3, 2 children had multibacillary leprosy while 1 had paucibacillary leprosy, according to the WHO classification and all 3 were classified as cases of Borederline Tuberculoid Leprosy according to Ridley-Jopling classification. All these 3 children had contact to leprosy for 10 or more years living with them. Conclusion:It can be concluded that malnutrition, the closeness and duration of contact to leprosy are significant risk factors for leprosy . Regular contact screening and early case detection are essential strategies to prevent further transmission in the endemic areas. Diagnostic methods for detection of subclinical infection in contacts needs further research.