Prevalence of Tinea capitis in school going children in Kolkata, West Bengal

Abstract

Background:In recent years the incidence of Tinea capitis, infection of scalp by dermatophytes, has increased in United Kingdom and North America. The trend may be similar in India. The objective of this study is to find the prevalence of Tinea capitis in school going urban children in Kolkata, West Bengal state.Materials and Methods:The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted in a government higher primary school in Kolkata.Results:Totally 505 students were screened and 52 were diagnosed to have Tinea capitis by clinical examination, giving a prevalence rate of 10% among school children. Prevalence rates among the age groups of 6–8, 9–11 and 12–14 years were almost the same, ranging from 9 to 11%. The prevalence rate was significantly high among the boys (14%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of infection among coconut oil users and castor oil users. Measures of general hygiene were similar among those who were infected with Tinea capitis and those who were not. The commonest clinical type of infection found was dull grey patches. Itching with hair loss was the major symptom and most of the infected children had cervical lymphadenopathy. The potassium hydroxide studies revealed endothrix spores in majority of samples.Conclusion:Tinea capitis in prevalent in school going urban children in Kolkata, West Bengal state and necessary measures must be undertaken to curtail this incidence.

Tinea capitis in schoolchildren in a rural area in southern Ethiopia

“…These findings are consistent with those of some previous studies but differ from others that found infestations to be the most common skin disorders . In addition, tinea capitis accounted for the majority of fungal infections, as observed in previous studies carried out in pediatric populations . Its prevalence in our population was 24.6%, which is similar to those in other population‐based studies carried out in schoolchildren in low‐income countries, especially in Ethiopia, except for a study carried out by Ali et al .…”

“…found different distributions of fungal isolation amongst the three communities, which is highly suggestive of a child‐to‐child transmission pattern. Further, asymptomatic carriers may be an important source of anthroponotic transmission . Figueroa et al .…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Dermatophyte Infections Among Primary School Children in Ilemela, Mwanza, Tanzania

“…Male gender, having family member with a dermatophyte infection, not using tap water, and sharing combs significantly predicted tinea capitis. Similar observations have been reported from previous studies 9,15,18,21,22 investigating primary school children.…”

Clinicoepidemiological and mycological study of tinea capitis in the pediatric population of Kashmir valley: A study from a tertiary care centre

“…The superficial layers of the epidermis, particularly the stratum corneum, and the keratin rich appendages, such as the hair and nails of the living host, are invaded by these dermatophytes, where they eventually proliferate and multiply. [1] It is a common scalp infection seen in children from developing countries, often causing varying degrees of hair loss. [23]…”