Superficial fungal infections in children in Northern Finland between 2000 and 2021: a single-center study

Superficial fungal infections are infections of the skin and nails caused by fungi. They occur in 20%-25% of the global population. These infections are less common in children than in adults. This study investigated the prevalence of superficial fungal infections diagnosed in a Finnish hospital. The data were collected from patients diagnosed with superficial fungal infection at the age of under 18 years by a dermatologist between the years 2000 and 2021. Fungal infections of nails were the most common. Additionally, the study found frequent delays in diagnosis, as more than half of the cases had had symptoms for more than 6 months. This research provides information on fungal infections in children in Northern Finland and highlights the importance of improved recognition of these infections.