Clinic Features, Follow-up and Treatment Options of Acute Paronychia in Children: Hacettepe University Experience

Objective: Paronychia, the inflammation of proximal and lateral nail folds and, is the most commonly encountered hand infection. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment options of paronychia in our center. Material and Methods: Patients diagnosed with acute paronychia from June 2014 to December 2016 in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Department of Hacettepe University ihsan Dogramaci Children Hospital were included into the study. Patients' age, gender, underlying disease, physical examination findings, laboratory parameters, hospitalization status, treatment choices (surgery/antibiotic treatment) and durations, and complications were evaluated. Results: Seventy-five patients (37 male, 49.3%) with a median age of 8 years (0-18) were enrolled into the study. The patients were divided into two groups as immunocompetent (62, 82.7%) and immunocompromised (primary or secondary immunodeficiency, 13, 17.3%). Two of the immuncompromised patients (14.3%) and eight of immunocompetent patients underwent surgery drainage because of abscess formation. Five patients were hospitalized, three of whom (21.4%) were immunocompromised and two of whom (3.3%) were immunocompetent (p=0.01). Conclusion: Immune response of the patients diagnosed with paronychia is the main guide for treatment and follow plan.