01737nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001500059653002100074653001000095653002100105653001100126653001100137653001400148653001000162653001200172653000900184653003000193653001700223653002100240653003000261100001100291700001600302700001400318700001400332245008800346856004400434300000900478490000700487520087900494022001401373       2010                            d  c2010 Jan-Mar10aAdolescent10aAge Distribution10aChild10aChild, Preschool10aFemale10aHumans10aIncidence10aIndia10aleprosy10aMale10aReferral and Consultation10aRisk Factors10aSex Distribution10aWorld Health Organization1 aHoro I1 aRao P S S S1 aNanda N K1 aAbraham S00aChildhood leprosy: profiles from a leprosy referral hospital in West Bengal, India.  uhttp://www.ijl.org.in/jan_mar_2010.html  a33-70 v823 a<p>Monitoring childhood leprosy in terms of incidence and occurrence of deformities are crucial for better control and understanding the transmission of the disease. In this paper, a profile of all new untreated leprosy patients below 15 years of age who reported at a Leprosy Referral Centre in West Bengal during 2004-2006 are described. Of 151 children studied, 84 (55.6%) were males, 33% were multibacillary and of them, 30% were smear positive. 16% had already developed grade 2 disability (WHO). Multiple nerve involvement was seen in a quarter of children. These findings highlight the seriousness of leprosy among children and the great need to address these issues urgently. Awareness, active case detection especially among contacts and motivation are the essential needs of the hour to prevent tragedy of deformed children due to a totally manageable disease.</p>  a0254-9395