Patterns of Pediatric Dermatoses in Southwestern Nigeria: A Five-Year Multicentre Comparison of Semi-Urban and Urban Dermatology Clinics

Abstract

Aims: To compare the age-specific and geographic distribution of paediatric dermatoses among children attending dermatology clinics in two communities with differing levels of urbanisation in Southwestern Nigeria. Study Design: Multicentre retrospective descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology clinics at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife (urban), and Federal Medical Centre, Owo (semi-urban), between January 2020 and December 2024. Methodology: Medical records of children aged ≤16 years were reviewed. Demographic characteristics and primary dermatological diagnoses were extracted and classified by aetiology and age group. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests and crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compare disease patterns across age groups and study sites. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 589 children (mean age 7.9 ± 4.8 years; 53.7% male) were included. Forty-seven children (7.9%) were diagnosed with both infectious and non-infectious dermatoses. Overall, non-infectious dermatoses predominated (71.1%), with eczematous disorders (29.2%) and hereditary disorders (10.2%) representing the most frequent diagnostic categories. Fungal infections were most prevalent among school-aged children (P = 0.013), whereas viral dermatoses predominated in preschool-aged children (P < 0.001). Children attending the urban centre had significantly higher odds of infectious dermatoses (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.18–2.50; P = 0.004) and eczematous disorders (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.56; P = 0.008), while hereditary and papulosquamous dermatoses were more frequently observed in the semi-urban centre. Conclusion: Paediatric dermatoses in Southwestern Nigeria demonstrate distinct age- and geography-specific patterns, with eczematous disorders accounting for the greatest burden of dermatology consultations. The higher prevalence of infectious dermatoses among younger children and the observed geographic differences underscore the need for context-specific prevention and service planning. Integrating the early recognition and management of infectious and eczematous skin diseases into child health programmes, alongside strengthening school-based skin health initiatives, may improve paediatric dermatological outcomes in resource-constrained settings.