title: Impact of photosensitivity disorders on the life quality of children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Abnormal cutaneous sensitivity to the ultraviolet and/or visible radiation in sunlight characterizes photosensitivity disorders. Little is known regarding their impact in childhood. Our objective was to characterize childhood photosensitivity disorders presenting to a photoinvestigation unit, evaluating their impact on quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Photoinvestigation records of children attending from 2000 to 2007 were evaluated for diagnosis, clinical, demographic and phototest parameters. These children were subsequently contacted during summertime to evaluate the impact of photosensitivity on QoL, utilizing the children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  83 children underwent photoinvestigation; 62 (74.7%) were diagnosed photosensitive (mean age 8.6 years, range 2-16; 33 female), with abnormal phototest findings in 35 children. 38/55 questionnaires (69.1%) were returned. Mean (± standard deviation) CDLQI score (all diagnoses) was 10.2 ± 7.3 with very high scores in xeroderma pigmentosum (20.7 ± 5.7; n = 3) and actinic prurigo (18.2 ± 7.1; n = 6) and moderate scores in photoaggravated eczema (7.9 ± 4.2; n = 8) and polymorphic light eruption (6.2 ± 4.4 n = 18). CDLQI correlated with number of months affected per year (r = 0.595, P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Photosensitivity disorders have a substantial impact, ranging from moderate to extremely large, on QoL in childhood, and the psychological consequences should be considered in their management.
authors.affiliation: Photobiology Unit, Dermatology Centre, School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Muneeza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizwan
authors.forename: Ann K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Haylett
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Tsui C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Lesley E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Rhodes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies