title: Pediatric Cutaneous Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Infections in Singapore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections are rare in children, with limited published studies. The course of the disease can be variable and there are no accepted treatment guidelines for the management of NTM infections in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review a cohort of pediatric patients admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Singapore for cutaneous NTM infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of all children admitted to KK Women's and Children's Hospital with cutaneous NTM infections from 2002 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-seven patients with positive NTM cultures from various body sites were identified. Eight of the 67 patients (11.9%) presented with cutaneous NTM without evidence of systemic involvement. The mean age at diagnosis for these eight patients was 10 years (range 5-21 yrs). Mycobacterium abscessus was the most common NTM isolated (five patients), followed by Mycobacterium hemophilium (two patients) and Mycobacterium kansasii (one patient). Most patients presented with isolated skin abscesses. Two patients were immunocompromised. Six patients required multidrug antibiotic treatment for a median duration of 5.5 months (range 3-17 mos). The median follow-up duration was 8.5 months (range 2 wks-29 mos).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the incidence of cutaneous NTM is rare, the diagnosis should be considered in patients presenting with chronic wounds. Most patients require treatment with multidrug antibiotic therapy, although uncomplicated abscesses can be treated with surgical incision and drainage alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shanna Shan-Yi
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yong-Kwang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Mark Jean-Aan
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Koh-Cheng
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Thoon
authors.affiliation: Singapore General Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Li-Hwei
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Sng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents