title: Skin disease in the first two years of life in Aboriginal children in East Arnhem Land.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common skin infections affecting children in remote Aboriginal communities are scabies and impetigo. Group A streptococcal skin infections are linked to the high rates of heart and renal disease occurring in Aboriginal Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of medical records was conducted in a primary health care centre in the East Arnhem region of the Northern Territory. Data was collected from all presentations to the clinic in the first 2 years of life for 99 children born between 2001 and 2005 as a component of the East Arnhem Regional Healthy Skin Project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of presentations to the clinic in the first 2 years of life was 32. Skin disease was recorded in 22% of all presentations. By 1 year of age 82% of children had presented to the clinic with their first episode of impetigo and 68% with their first episode of scabies. Antibiotics were administered to 49% of children with impetigo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin infections are a major reason for presentation to primary health clinics and contribute to the high disease burden experienced by children in the first 2 years of life. This high frequency of presentation provides multiple opportunities for intervention and monitoring.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. erinkmcmeniman@gmail.com
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: McMeniman
authors: Libby
authors: L
authors: Holden
authors: Therese
authors: T
authors: Kearns
authors: Danielle B
authors: DB
authors: Clucas
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Carapetis
authors: Bart J
authors: BJ
authors: Currie
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Connors
authors: Ross M
authors: RM
authors: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology*; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D015876:Northern Territory / Q000453:epidemiology; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012532:Scabies / Q000208:ethnology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G