Psoriasis in children with dark skin phototypes: Epidemiological and clinical profile in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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Résumé

Context
Psoriasis is a rare chronic erythematosquamous dermatosis, accounting for ∼5% of
pediatric dermatological conditions.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of
psoriasis in children at the dermatology and venereology department of CHU
Yalgado Ouédraogo.
Patients and methods
This retrospective descriptive cross–sectional study spanned 10 years and
included all patients aged 0–15 years who had been diagnosed with psoriasis,
provided their clinical records contained all relevant variables.
Results
Among 3,220 patients aged 0–15 years, nine were diagnosed with psoriasis,
resulting in a prevalence of 0.051% within the department. There was a
predominance of females, with a sex ratio of 0.5. The average age of onset for
the patients was 6.89 years. Stress was identified as a trigger for flare-ups in five
patients. Plaque psoriasis was the most common clinical presentation, observed in
eight patients, with scalp involvement noted in seven. One case of psoriatic
arthropathy was recorded. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score was
mild in three cases and moderate in two.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is relatively uncommon in children within our population, with a higher
prevalence among females. Stress frequently acts as a trigger for flare-ups, and the
diagnosis was primarily clinical. The plaque form, which was commonly observed,
is consistent with findings from other studies, particularly regarding scalp
involvement. Severe cases were infrequent.

Mots-clés

Keywords: hospital, pediatric, Plaque psoriasis, scalp