CLINICAL STUDY OF CHILDHOOD PSORIASIS AMONG EGYPTIAN PATIENTS

Abstract

hildhood Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease which may affect the skin, nails and joints. The mean age of onset of pediatric psoriasis varies from 8 to 11 years. It is estimated that about one third of psoriasis patients develop their symptoms during childhood. It is generally believed that boys and girls are quite equally affected during childhood. The same clinical types of psoriasis are observed in children and adults, including plaque, guttate, inverse, erythrodermic, and pustular psoriasis, with the exception of napkin/genital psoriasis, which appears mainly in children younger than 2 years old. The most common type is chronic plaque psoriasis which develops primarily on the scalp, face and extensor surfaces of the elbow and knee. The scalp is the most frequently involved area. Children suffering from psoriasis have a higher prevalence of comorbidities, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and psychiatric disorders, compared with children without psoriasis. Psoriasis in children and adolescents can have a significant impact on quality of life by interfering with family and social relationships, school and self-esteem. The aim of this study is to evaluate psoriasis in Egyptian children. Clinical types, associated comorbidities and quality of