IMPETIGO IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Introduction: Normal healthy skin is usually colonized by a huge amount of bacterial organisms that inhabit the skin as commensal flora both on the surface of the skin or in the hair follicles. However, abnormalities in the growth and replication of these organisms (like overgrowth) can lead to the development of dermatological diseases where the same commensal organism can be responsible for the development of the disease. These commensal bacteria have the ability to create biofilms, which are sessile, complex accumulations of the bacterial organism along with a polymeric substance present extracellularly. Aim of work: In this review, we will discuss the most recent evidence regarding the recent advances in the management of impetigo in the pediatric population. Methodology: We did a systematic search for the recent advances in the management of impetigo in the pediatric population using PubMed search engine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and Google Scholar search engine (https://scholar.google.com). Our search also looked for presentation, most common pathogens. All relevant studies were retrieved and discussed. We only included full articles. Conclusions: Impetigo is considered to be the most common skin infection that affects children between 2-5 years old. It generally has two types: non-bullous (which is responsible for about 70% of cases) and bullous (which is responsible for the remaining of cases). Non-bullous impetigo can be caused by both staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes. It is mainly distinguished by the presence of honey crusts on the face and limbs. Bullous impetigo, on the other hand, is only caused by staphylococcus aureus and results in the development of large bullae and blisters. It generally effects intertriginous body sites. Most cases of impetigo can resolve spontaneously within few weeks, regardless of the type of impetigo, and the development of late complications is usually rare. Treatment of impetigo is usually done using either topical or systemic antibiotics. Topical antibiotics are usually preferred in mild non-complicated cases due to their efficacy and safety. On the other hand, systemic treatment is preferred in more severe or complicated cases. Systemic antibiotics is sometimes challenging due the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. Key words: Impetigo, children, presentation, management