[Onychomycosis among children. A retrospective study of 233 Mexican cases].
BACKGROUND
Worldwide recent reports point towards a rising prevalence ofonychomycosis in the pediatric population, especially among adolescents. Dermatophytes are the most common etiologic agents.


METHODS
We carried out a retrospective review of the last 12 years, comprising 332 medical records from children with clinical suspicion of onychomycosis. We analyzed the following variables: gender, age, predisposing factors, affected nails, other concurrent superficial mycoses and potassium hydroxide direct examination and culture.


RESULTS
A total of 233 onychomycosis cases were identified, cases constituted 33% of superficial mycoses of children seen at our unit. Two thirds were adolescents with no significant difference among the sexes. Toenails were more affected (94%) than fingernails (4.2%) with distal and lateral subungueal onychomycosis being the most common clinical presentation. In 70% of cases infection was caused by dermatophytes (mainly Trichophyton rubrum).


CONCLUSIONS
Onychomycosis constitute 33% of superficial mycoses among children seen at our medical facility. We confirm a rise in prevalence, toenails were the most common (94%) and had a dermatophytic etiology (70%). We suggest to all physicians caring for children and adolescents, to become familiar with diagnostic and therapeutic tools for this type of mycosis.
Vásquez-del Mercado
Elsa
E
Sección de Micología, Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital General "Manuel Gea González", SSA, México D.F., México.
Arenas
Roberto
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies