A Population‐based Study of Toenail Onychomycosis in Israeli Children

Abstract

Onychomycosis is widespread in the adult population, but considered to be rare in children. A number of studies in recent years show a rise in the prevalence of toenail onychomycosis in children. Of these, only a few were population-based. Here, we present a comprehensive cross-sectional population-based survey of toenail onychomycosis in primary school children in Israel. The survey included 1148 children, 598 boys, and 550 girls aged 5 to 14 from primary schools in the Jerusalem vicinity. Each child underwent a physical examination and completed a personal questionnaire, which provided background information of predisposing factors. The survey shows a prevalence of 0.87% of toenail onychomycosis. Although this figure is too small for statistical analysis, some important conclusions could be drawn: prevalence increased with age: boy/girl ratio was 2.2; the dominant etiologic agent was Trichophyton rubrum followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans. Infections were probably transferred from adults via the environment to children. Infected children came from different socio-economic backgrounds. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nail diseases in children.

Onychomycosis in Children: An Experience of 59 Cases

“…Adolescents between ages of 16 to 18 years formed the highest proportion of patients (33.3%), as in a report by Lange et al8 In contrast to other reports, we did not find that the incidence increased with advancing age7,8,12,15. In the case of fingernail onychomychosis, patients less than 3 years old comprised the highest proportion (40.0%) as in the report by Lange et al8 On the contrary to other reports, the incidence tended decrease with age.…”

A 5-year survey of dermatomycoses in southwest Poland, years 2003-2007

“…Israeli authors have observed this infection with 0.9% prevalence among 1148 children aged 5 to 14 years. 30 In conclusion, during the period 2003-2007, in Southern Poland, toenail onychomycosis caused by T. rubrum was the most prevalent dermatomycoses. Zoophilic dermatophyte infections were observed less frequently.…”

“…Other reports have also recently brought to consideration onychomycosis in children exhibiting toenail changes. Israeli authors have observed this infection with 0.9% prevalence among 1148 children aged 5 to 14 years 30 …”

Antifungal therapy for onychomycosis in children

“…ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Friedlander 4 history of tinea pedis (9), infection in family members (9), increased number of siblings (10), living in a smaller home (10), being from a rural area (10), and male gender (3).…”