Childhood Leprosy in an Endemic Area of Central India.

OBJECTIVE To study clinical-epidemiological aspects of children affected with leprosy in a high-endemicity area. METHODS Hospital-based study (April 2010 to March 2015) of newly diagnosed children (=18 years) with leprosy, from a leprosy research institute in Chhattisgarh, India. RESULTS 551 new childhood cases were diagnosed constituting 16% of the total newly leprosy cases examined; 221 (40.1%) were multibacillary cases with 11.2% smear positivity. 243 (44.1%) had known contact history of leprosy, 17.6% of children developed Lepra reaction, and 17.4% had visible deformity. 68% of subjects completed treatment within the prescribed time. CONCLUSION Transmission of leprosy is still continuing in the area, and high disability and deformity rates are seen in children.