Nawaf Al-Mutairi1, Manar AlKhalaf. 1. Department of Medicine, Faculty of medical sciences, Medicine, University of Kuwait, and Department of Dermatology, Farwaniya Hospital, P.O. Box 280, Farwaniya 80000, Kuwait. nalmut@usa.net
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cutaneous and mucosal infections in both adults and children. Warts are very common in children. METHODS: All patients younger than 13 presenting with cutaneous warts in a 1-year period at Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait were included in the study. In addition, their parents completed a questionnaire about possible environmental risk factors for warts. The treatment modalities used and their outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: This study included 2,916 children with warts. Common warts affected male patients more frequently. Warts were mostly located on the hands, in 1,172 patients (40.19%), followed by the feet in 1,096 patients (37.59%). Frequently associated environmental factors were walking barefoot, using a swimming pool, or having a family member with warts. The first-line treatment used was cryotherapy, followed by topical salicylic acid preparations. A total of 2,128 (72.98%) patients were cleared of their warts, and 232 (10.90%) patients had a recurrence. The cure rate in patients with hand warts was slightly higher than with warts on the feet (78.67% versus 70.52%). Treatment side effects were a complaint of 1,796 (61.59%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of warts is lowest among children less than 6 years old. No particular therapy has been confirmed to be effective at achieving complete remission in every patient.
INTRODUCTION:Human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cutaneous and mucosal infections in both adults and children. Warts are very common in children. METHODS: All patients younger than 13 presenting with cutaneous warts in a 1-year period at Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait were included in the study. In addition, their parents completed a questionnaire about possible environmental risk factors for warts. The treatment modalities used and their outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: This study included 2,916 children with warts. Common warts affected male patients more frequently. Warts were mostly located on the hands, in 1,172 patients (40.19%), followed by the feet in 1,096 patients (37.59%). Frequently associated environmental factors were walking barefoot, using a swimming pool, or having a family member with warts. The first-line treatment used was cryotherapy, followed by topical salicylic acid preparations. A total of 2,128 (72.98%) patients were cleared of their warts, and 232 (10.90%) patients had a recurrence. The cure rate in patients with hand warts was slightly higher than with warts on the feet (78.67% versus 70.52%). Treatment side effects were a complaint of 1,796 (61.59%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of warts is lowest among children less than 6 years old. No particular therapy has been confirmed to be effective at achieving complete remission in every patient.