Hydatid disease in Greek children.

The surgical incidence of hydatidosis in the Greek population aged 0-18 years was investigated. Discharge and operating room records from 1 January 1969 through 31 December 1975 in all hospitals of the country were reviewed. Data were statistically analyzed according to geographical and annual distribution of the disease, age, sex, and organ affected. Of a total of 4,566 patients with hydatidosis, 534 (11.7%) were 0-18 years old. By extrapolation, operations in this age group were performed at a rate of 2.7/100,000 population per year. Surgical incidence of hydatidosis varies among different geographical areas in Greece; its percentage is highest in rural areas. The disease is more frequent in boys than in girls (P less than 0.01). Lungs and liver are the most commonly involved organs (94.2%). Lung involvement is more frequent in boys (73.0%) than in girls (50.5%) (P less than 0.001).