CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INFECTION-ASSOCIATED PALMOPLANTAR DERMATOSIS IN PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

INTRODUCTION: Dermatoses that develop in children often differ from similar pathologies in adults. One of the interesting and ongoing subjects of study for pediatric dermatology is pathologies of the skin of the palmoplantar areas. Rashes in the acral area may be part of a widespread rash, or a pathology specifically expressed only in the acral area. Similar problems in pediatric dermatological practice are determined by a wide range of etiological factors. AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the characteristic clinical features of palmoplantar dermatoses in children in relation to age and different diseases; to determine basic recommendations for a specific pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational study includes data processing of 58 patients aged 1-10 years from 2020-2024. The diagnostic components included a complete dermatological history and dermatoscopic, microscopic, and cultural (bacteriological) examinations. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.5 years. 27 (46.6%) were female, 31 (53.4%) were male. Patients with palmoplantar dermatoses were clinically evaluated based on the distribution, uniformity and symmetry of the rash. In 24(41,4%) cases, the rash was a local lesion, in 34(58,6%) it was part of a generalized rash. 34(58, 6%) of children had a symmetrical rash, 24(41,4%) had an asymmetric rash; 39(67,2%) of patients had uniform rash, and 19(32,8%)% had several types. Based on clinical diagnosis, the following groups were distinguished: scabies 22 (37.9%), impetigo 11 (19%), scabies and impetigo 4 (6.9%), tinea 6 (10.3%), hand-foot-and-mouth disease 8 (13.8%), and Covid-19-associated 7 (12.1%) palmoplantar dermatoses. CONCLUSION: In prepubertal children, the majority of palmoplantar dermatoses associated with infections characterized by a predominantly symmetrical and uniform rash. Treatment recommendations focus on the treatment of the underlying disease. COVID-19-associated palmoplantar dermatoses have a different course, treatment is limited to symptomatic therapy, and the nonspecificity of the manifestations requires further scientific research.