Childhood leprosy: three years experience from Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

A hospital-based prospective study was carried out at Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura, during a 3-year period. Out of 221, new leprosy patients 22 (9.95%) were children aged 6-14 years. Male: female ratio was 1.4:1. The commonest type of leprosy was tuberculoid (63%), followed by borderline lepromatous (18%), borderline tuberculoid (13.6%), and one indeterminate leprosy. PB and MB regimes were given to 18 and 4 respectively. Single hypopigmented macule was the commonest (63.6%) clinical presentation. The majority had lesions on exposed parts of the body; forearm (6), legs (5), face (3) and arm (2). One child with borderline lepromatous had plantar ulcers and burn injuries on hands. 10 (45.4%) gave a history of contact, all being immediate family members; father (5), mother (3), siblings (5). There were five families where ≥ 3 members were affected.

High child rate indicates high disease transmission. We must implement specific preventive and control measures for this age group to reduce transmission of the disease and to prevent permanent disabilities.