Sunil Vilasrao Gitte1, Ramanath N Sabat, K M Kamble. 1. Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare and Regional Leprosy Training and Research Institute (Under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, DGHS, Government of India), Lalpur, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. Correspondence to: Dr Sunil Vilasrao Gitte, Deputy Director, Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare and Regional Leprosy Training and Research Institute (Govt. of India), Lalpur, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492 001, India. sv.gitte@gov.in.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study clinical-epidemiological aspects of children affected with leprosy in a high-endemicity area. METHODS: Hospital-based study (April 2010 to March 2015) of newly diagnosed children (=18 years) with leprosy, from a leprosy research institute in Chhattisgarh, India. RESULTS: 551 new childhood cases were diagnosed constituting 16% of the total newly leprosy cases examined; 221 (40.1%) were multibacillary cases with 11.2% smear positivity. 243 (44.1%) had known contact history of leprosy, 17.6% of children developed Lepra reaction, and 17.4% had visible deformity. 68% of subjects completed treatment within the prescribed time. CONCLUSION: Transmission of leprosy is still continuing in the area, and high disability and deformity rates are seen in children.
OBJECTIVE: To study clinical-epidemiological aspects of children affected with leprosy in a high-endemicity area. METHODS: Hospital-based study (April 2010 to March 2015) of newly diagnosed children (=18 years) with leprosy, from a leprosy research institute in Chhattisgarh, India. RESULTS: 551 new childhood cases were diagnosed constituting 16% of the total newly leprosy cases examined; 221 (40.1%) were multibacillary cases with 11.2% smear positivity. 243 (44.1%) had known contact history of leprosy, 17.6% of children developed Lepra reaction, and 17.4% had visible deformity. 68% of subjects completed treatment within the prescribed time. CONCLUSION: Transmission of leprosy is still continuing in the area, and high disability and deformity rates are seen in children.
Authors: Jenny Laura Ruiz-Fuentes; Raisa Rumbaut Castillo; Laura de la Caridad Hurtado Gascón; Fernanda Pastrana Journal: BMJ Paediatr Open Date: 2019-11-10