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.

 
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