Immuno‐allergic dermatoses in children of 0–5 years old in Kinshasa hospital environment

Abstract

IntroductionThe frequency of immuno‐allergic dermatoses (IAD) is gradually overtaking that of infectious dermatoses in sub‐Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to identify the epidemioclinical profile and the determinants of IAD in children of 0–5 years old at the University Clinics of Kinshasa (UCK).MethodsThis was a documentary and descriptive study that focused on children from 0 to 5 years old with IAD, over an 11‐year period from 2011 to 2021. Included were children from 0 to 5 years old received in consultation the first time for IAD. The parameters of interest were sociodemographic and clinical. Data was entered and analysed using Excel 2010 software. Ethical and deontological considerations were respected. The value of p < 0.05 was the significance threshold.ResultsThe frequency of IAD in children aged 0–5 years in the UCK was 17.8%, with a high peak between 2 and 3 years (41.9%) and a female predominance at 54.4%, which represents a sex ratio of 0.8. Prurigo strophulus (42.3%) and atopic dermatitis (22.8%) were the most common IAD. In multivariate analysis, the determinants were significantly the age group of 4–5 years, the rainy season and the child's environment.ConclusionPrurigo strophulus and atopic dermatitis were the most frequent IAD in children aged 0–5 years. A holistic care (medical, ecological) of children and their parents may reduce morbidity related to IAD for this age.