MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM IN
CHILDREN
Kakourou T, Architectonidou H, Anastasiou T, Zachariades A
1st Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Greece
Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology, clinical
manifestations, predisposing factors, mode of treatment and prognosis of
Molluscum Contagiosum (M.C.) in children.
Methods: Between 1997-9, 110 children (60 boys, 50girls,
mean age: 4.76 years) were studied. The treatment consisted of removal of
all M.C. lesions in a single session by sterilized tweezers. Follow up
information was obtained from the parents by telephone, 6 months after the
end of the study.
Results: In the children aged ¡Ü 2 years M.C. lesions
were located mainly on the face, whereas in older children on the trunk.
Twenty children (18.2%) had atopic dermatitis. Four children had a personal
history of recurrent skin infections without any other systemic
manifestations. In these children M.C. lesions were numerous and recurrent
but the humoral and cellular immunity were found to be normal. Only 6 (5.5
%) children had a family member with M.C. Seventy-seven (70%) patients were
cured after one treatment session while in the remaining patients the
lesions recurred or new lesions developed 20 days to 2months after initial
treatment. Twenty-two (20%) patients were cured after a second session and
11 (10%) after ¡Ý3 sessions. No patients experienced secondary bacterial
infection or scarring.
Conclusions: a) In contrast to cool climates where
the age of peak incidence of M.C. is 10-12 years, in warmer countries such
as Greece is 4-5 years. b)Atopic dermatitis is a predisposing factor for
M.C. This may be attributed to the impaired epidermal barrier and local
cellular immunity of these patients..c) The M.C. virus is not very
contagious d) M.C. lesions are numerous and/or persist the cellular
immunity should be investigated. However if there are no other signs of
systemic infections the possibilities of immunodeficiency is minimal.e)
Removal of M.C. lesions by tweezers is an efficient simple method of treatment
without sequelae.