Epidemiology of Leprosy in Childhood: A Retrospective Study

A B S T R A C TBackground: Children are the group most susceptible to Mycobacterium lepraeinfection. The proportion of new leprosy cases in children is indicator of successfulleprosy elimination program from World Health Organization (WHO), so this studywould like to know the epidemiology of pediatric leprosy at Dermatology andVenereology Polyclinic, Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang. Methods:Retrospective study of all new cases of leprosy in children (0-17 years) who cameto Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic, Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembangfrom January 2017 to December 2020. Results: There were 10 pediatric patients(7.58%) from 132 new leprosy cases. Most cases (40%) were in the 15-17 agegroup. There are more male than female. Most types of leprosy are BL (60%)followed by TT (20%). Manifestations of hyperpigmented skin patches and nervousdisorders, grade 1 disability, and type 2 leprosy reactions are mostly found in typeBL leprosy. The duration of illness 6-12 months has a grade 1 disability (30%).The history of positive contact came from same household in 3 cases (30%) with7 people (70%) domiciled in Palembang. All cases received Multidrug Therapy(MDT) treatment according to WHO guidelines. Conclusion: Found 10 new casesof leprosy in children in Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic Dr. Moh. HoesinPalembang for four years, especially in the 15-17 age group, with the most casesbeing type BL leprosy. Household contact still plays an important role in leprosytransmission.