CHARACTERIZATION OF ECZEMATOUS RASHES IN IRAQI CHILDREN; A CLINICOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN DIWANIYAH.

Background: Eczema is a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. This study aimed to assess the clinicoepidemiological aspects and precipitating factors of various types of eczema in Iraqi children. Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted among three hundred patients, in Diwaniyah teaching hospital, Iraq, over a period of two years. This study based on questionnaire survey completed by interviewing the parents and the diagnosis of eczema was made on the basis of history and physical examination. Results: The results showed that the number of males was 164(54.6%) and females 136(45.4%), and atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema seen in the different age group of children. It forms about (49.3%), xerosis was the typical morphological criteria in atopic dermatitis, forming about (56.7%), flexural regions are the commonest site affected, and positive family history seen in (64.8%) of atopic patients. Two-thirds of patients with atopic dermatitis and positive family history have an early onset of the disease during infancy (66.6%). Analysis of chronic cases showed that ( 51.5% ) of patients got exacerbation during winter and autumn. Conclusions: Eczema of all types affect Iraqi children of different ages, the most common type is atopic dermatitis. Family history and diet additive have a significant impact on the onset of the disease, while weather changes and the standard of living have a bearing on the criteria and severity of the disease status.