A Clinco-Bacteriological Study of Leprosy in Paediatric Age Group
272
leprosy [22]. This observation suggest to postulate that
though BCG is not protective totally, it may at least at-
tenuate the pathogenicity and modulates the immune-
status of the patients that foretell the high occurrence of
paucibacillary leprosy in BCG scar positive children. A
recent study showed increase in multibacillary cases
51.7% in A.singal [20] and 38% in VP shetty [21], but in
our study multi bacillary leprosy were only 15.6% of to-
tal cases. The study conducted by Dayal R also had less
multibacillary cases [9]. Multibacillary cases were found
in 10 - 14 yrs of age indicates multibacillary cases may
prevalent in latter part of the childhood.
5. Conclusion
An active surveillance is needed to identify the undetect-
ed hidden leprosy cases. Leprosy in children is essential-
ly a disease of school age children, suggesting school
survey as a tool for early detection and to prevent dis-
abilities. Borderline tuberculoid is the dominant variety
of presentation which responds to therapy. Early detec-
tion and effective treatment of leprosy patients in the pe-
diatric age group can prevent the development of more
severe devastating or crippling adult form of the disease.
6. Limitations
As this is a hospital based study, the results may not re-
flect the status childhood leprosy in a community. A rural
community based study would reflect the real scenario.
Sample size for the comparison of BCG and prevention
of leprosy should be large.
7. Contributions
LD & NBD drafted the initial manuscript and also engag-
ed in management of patients. BKM, DDP and PS re-
viewed the literature, LD & BKM was responsible for
designing the article, revision of manuscript and would
act as the guarantor for the paper. JM & NBD was in-
volved in doing skin biopsy.
8. Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Superintendent, S.C.B. me-
dical college Cuttack for permitting them to publish the
study.
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