BackgroundSkin diseases affect 21–87 % of children in developing countries in Africa. However, the spectrum of the skin diseases varies from region to region due to several factors such as genetics, socioeconomic and environmental. The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of childhood skin diseases in Tanzania.MethodsWe conducted a prospective hospital- based cross-sectional study between September 2012 and August 2013 at a tertiary referral dermatology clinic. Children younger than 14 years presenting with new skin conditions were recruited. Diagnosis was mainly done clinically, but if the diagnosis was not clinically clear, further investigations were undertaken accordingly.ResultsA total of 340 patients were recruited of which 56 (16.5 %) had more than one skin condition. Both genders were equally affected. Infections and infestations accounted for the majority (43.5 %, n = 177) of the skin conditions followed by eczematous dermatitis (28.5 %, n = 116) and pigmentary disorders (7.4 %, n = 30). Among the 152 infectious skin diseases, fungal infections predominated (50.7 %, n = 77) in the infectious group followed by bacterial (29.6 %, n = 45), and viral (19.7 %, n = 30).ConclusionsSkin infections are still the main cause of dermatological consultations in children although with a reduced prevalence. Inflammatory skin conditions are increasing and can be attributed to improved socioeconomic status and HIV pandemic.
BackgroundHistopathology is often essential in medicine to establish an accurate diagnosis, which forms the basis of disease treatment. Pathology laboratories are scarce in most Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where Dermatopathology is only a developing field. In resource-poor countries, most specimens are analysed only after Haematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E). The availability of other special stains (SS) is very limited and restricted to only few centres. The aim of this study is to analyse the extent of dermatopathological cases which can be adequately diagnosed after H&E alone. Secondly, to investigate which cases required further SS.
MethodsAll skin specimens submitted to two University Hospitals (Tanzania and Kenya) were included in this study. All specimens were first analysed with H&E and a diagnosis established when possible. All cases in which an accurate diagnosis after H&E only was not possible, were registered and evaluated after further SS.
ResultsA total of 386 specimens were examined. A proper histological diagnosis with H&E alone was possible in 344 (89.1%) samples. In 45 (11.6%) cases, mostly skin infections, further SS were necessary.
ConclusionA proper histological diagnosis was possible after H&E alone in almost 90% of the specimens submitted to the two laboratories in SSA.
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