• G P Prashanth and V V Pai.
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics Dermatology, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
• J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Sep 1; 26 (9): 1105-8.

BackgroundDermatological manifestations are often encountered in paediatric intensive care units (PICU). Spectrum of dermatological problems that may arise in critically ill children in intensive care unit remains unknown.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to find out the burden of dermatological problems and to describe the proportional distribution of paediatric dermatoses in ICU set-up.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we analysed all types of paediatric dermatological conditions manifesting in children admitted to a tertiary level ICU in South India.ResultsDuring the study period of 25 months, 1180 new cases were admitted to PICU. A total of 318 children with 361 skin manifestations were observed. Majority of the skin lesions were minor and were secondary to systemic disease. Infection was the leading cause of dermatoses in ICU. Dengue infection was detected in 64% of total cases included in the study. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was the only primary dermatological condition leading to PICU admission in the present cohort.ConclusionsThe spectrum and proportional distribution of skin conditions in children differ from adult ICU-data. Further large-scale investigations are needed to define the characteristics and distribution of infections along with other disease conditions leading to ICU-admissions and mortality among critically ill paediatric patients.© 2011 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2011 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

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