Profile of childhood leprosy in a tertiary care centre in an endemic state of India

Introduction: Child cases of leprosy indicate early and continued transmission of infection and also serve as an epidemiological indicator of disease burden. Childhood leprosy may progress to disabilities with serious psychosocial impact on child and family. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in a tertiary care centre over a period of one and half year. Patients with age less than 14 years, having one of the cardinal signs of leprosy and giving consent for the study were included in the study. Detailed history taking, clinical examination and slit skin smear was performed and data were recorded in a predesigned case record form. Data were analysed statistically. Results: 32 of 581 cases (5.5%) of leprosy were children less than 14 years of age. Most common age group was 11 to 14 years. Male to female ratio was 2.5:1. Upper extremity was the most common site of lesions (46.87%). BT was the most common form (65.62%). PB cases (68.75%) were more common than MB. Nerve thickening was found in 87.5% cases, lepra reactions in 15.62% cases, disabilities in 12.5% cases and slit skin smear positivity in 25% cases. BCG scar was noted in 65.62% cases and history of contacts in 40.62% cases. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of child cases is necessary to reduce transmission of disease. High incidence of lepra reaction and disabilities in children in our study indicate prompt treatment of lepra reaction.