Clinical and epidemiological trends in childhood leprosy: A 20-year retrospective analysis from a tertiary care hospital in Jammu, North India

Background: Slightly more than half the total number of childhood leprosy cases worldwide are from India. Aim: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological trends of childhood leprosy over 20 years in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: We retrieved the medical records of all children less than 15 years of age registered in the leprosy clinic between April 1998 and March 2018. We tabulated and analyzed data pertaining to demographic details along with clinical findings such as cutaneous lesions, nerves involved, sensory loss, deformities, reactions, smear status, histopathology and treatment.Results: Out of total 1548 leprosy cases registered during the study period, 55 (3.55%) cases of childhood leprosy were diagnosed. Thirty five (63.6%) children were in the age group of 11-15 years and 83.7% were migrants from other states. Thirteen (23.6%) children reported contact with a diagnosed case of leprosy, mainly in close contacts. Fifty three (96.4%) children presented with cutaneous lesions while 2 (3.6%) had pure neural involvement. Borderline tuberculoid leprosy was the most common clinical presentation in 27 (49.1%) followed by borderline lepromatous leprosy in 11 (18%). Thickened peripheral nerve trunks were detected in 42 (76.4%), most commonly the ulnar nerve. Reactional episodes occurred in 12 (21.8%) cases (Type 1 reaction, 10 (18.2%); Type 2 reaction, 2 (3.6%)). Grade 2 disability was detected in 4 (7.3%). Multidrug therapy was started in all patients, multibacillary (MB) regimen in 42 (76.3%) patients and paucibacillary (PB) regimen in 13 (23.7%). Twenty five (45.4%) children defaulted from the treatment. On comparing the data of 2008-18 with that of the previous decade (1998-2007), there was a higher proportion of migrant cases as compared to local cases (3:1-11:1) and MB cases as compared to PB cases (2:1-6:1). The proportion of treatment defaulters declined from 60% to 36%.Limitations: Relapse rate could not be calculated due to inadequate follow-up period. As it is a hospital-based retrospective study with no active surveys, these findings may not reflect trends in the community.Conclusion: Childhood leprosy continues to be a significant problem. There is a clear need to strengthen early detection, treatment and regular follow-up of these cases in both high and low endemic settings.