BACKGROUND: Numerous skin conditions can affect the pediatric population. There are few studies on Pediatric Dermatology in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To study the pediatric skin diseases at the Hospital das Clínicas in Recife, Pernambuco State - Brazil. MATERIAL E METHODS: From May 1999 to May 2000, 307 cases of children treated at the Dermatology Clinic of the Federal University of Pernambuco were studied. Details of the patients' features, origin, reason for consultation, clinical laboratory diagnosis and previous treatment were examined. RESULTS: Allergic dermatosis was the most frequent disease (17.64%), followed by disorders of pigmentation (15.54%) and viral diseases (13.44%). CONCLUSION: This agrees with the literature. Infections represent a large percentage of cases studied and are probably due to the low socioeconomic level of the patients examined. Characterization of the epidemiology of cutaneous problems in children should be a priority in future studies.
child; skin diseases; prevalence
