Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Pediatric Cutaneous Viral Infections in Eastern India: A Retrospective Study with Comparative Analysis

Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Dr. Jaya Pritica Toppo, Dr. Vejeta Rani

Abstract: Introduction: Pediatric dermatoses, especially those of viral origin, are a prominent concern in the Indian subcontinent due to their frequency, communicability, and impact on quality of life. These infections not only reflect the hygiene and living standards of a population but also indicate underlying environmental and immunological trends. Aim: This study aimed to assess the clinical profile and frequency of pediatric viral dermatoses in a tertiary healthcare center in eastern India and to interpret these findings within the broader context of existing national literature. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study analyzed data collected from pediatric dermatology outpatient records from January 2023 to December 2024 at a tertiary care hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand. All children aged 0?14 years diagnosed with viral dermatoses were included. Clinical diagnoses were based on morphology, supported by laboratory techniques such as Tzanck smears and viral serology where necessary. Statistical analysis included descriptive metrics. Results: Of the 79,732 dermatology outpatient visits recorded during the two-year study period, 7035 involved pediatric patients, comprising 8.82% of total dermatology OPD visits. Of these, 393 cases (5.59%) were identified as viral dermatoses. The most frequent conditions were viral warts (39.9%), molluscum contagiosum (32.3%), varicella (11.7%), hand-foot-mouth disease (7.1%), other viral exanthems (6.9%), herpes simplex (1.3%), and herpes zoster (0.8%). A gender-wise analysis revealed a male predominance (62.6%). Age distribution showed warts and molluscum to be more common in the 6?14 years group, while younger children (<5 years) predominantly suffered from varicella infection, hand-foot-mouth disease and other viral exanthems. Conclusion: Pediatric viral dermatoses form a notable proportion of outpatient dermatological cases. The high frequency of warts and molluscum contagiosum emphasizes the need for awareness and targeted hygiene education. Warts, in particular, showed a varied presentation in our region, often involving multiple sites with a prolonged course and recurrence, which differed from patterns reported elsewhere. Comparisons with data from other Indian states reveal both consistent epidemiological patterns and notable divergences likely driven by regional environmental and socioeconomic differences.

Keywords: pediatric viral dermatoses, cutaneous infection, molluscum contagiosum, warts, eastern India, Jharkhand

How to Cite?: Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Dr. Jaya Pritica Toppo, Dr. Vejeta Rani, "Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Pediatric Cutaneous Viral Infections in Eastern India: A Retrospective Study with Comparative Analysis", Volume 14 Issue 6, June 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 496-499, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25606081843, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25606081843