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Superficial Fungal Infections in the Pediatric Dermatological Population of Northern Poland

Summary

This study examined fungal skin infections in children and teenagers in northern Poland from 2019 to 2024. Researchers tested over 1,200 young patients and found that about 1 in 5 had a fungal infection. The most common culprits were specific fungi that cause scalp infections in young children and foot/nail infections in teenagers. Interestingly, children living in rural areas were more likely to have these infections, even though more urban children were tested.

Background

Superficial fungal infections (SFIs) are common dermatological issues affecting pediatric populations worldwide with varying regional prevalence. This study addresses the epidemiology of SFIs in children and adolescents in northern Poland, a region lacking large-scale pediatric fungal infection studies.

Objective

To assess the prevalence and epidemiology of superficial fungal infections in children and adolescents under 18 years in northern Poland, analyzing associations between fungal species and sociodemographic factors including age, gender, and place of residence.

Results

Overall SFI prevalence was 21.4%, with higher prevalence in females (25.3%) than males (16.7%). Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum complex were the most frequently isolated fungi. Infection patterns varied by age, with tinea capitis and tinea cutis glabrae predominating in younger children, while adolescents were more affected by tinea pedis and onychomycosis.

Conclusion

This study confirms that SFI prevalence and distribution are influenced by age, gender, and place of residence. Rural patients showed higher positive result proportions despite more frequent urban testing, suggesting healthcare access disparities. Consistent patterns in case numbers and dominant fungal species over the study period indicate stable epidemiological trends.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Retrospective Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 40985454, DOI: 10.3390/jof11070533
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