Pediatricians’ Knowledge and Self-Reported Practices Regarding Childhood Dermatological Diseases and Topical Corticosteroid Use

Objective: Pediatric dermatological complaints are common and are often initially managed by pediatricians. This study evaluated pediatricians’ knowledge, self-reported practices, self-perceived adequacy, and educational needs regarding common childhood dermatoses and topical corticosteroid use. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Türkiye between June and July 2026, after ethics committee approval. Pediatricians who voluntarily agreed to participate were included. The questionnaire assessed demographic and professional characteristics, prior pediatric dermatology training, topical corticosteroid prescribing practices, knowledge of common pediatric dermatological diseases and topical treatments, self-perceived adequacy, and educational needs. Knowledge was assessed using 12 true/false and factual statements. Results: A total of 119 pediatricians were included; 79.0% had ≤5 years of post-specialization experience and 33.6% had received dedicated pediatric dermatology training. Dermatological complaints were encountered daily by 58.8% of participants and several times per week by 32.8%. The mean total number of correct responses was 10.39 ± 1.14 out of 12. The lowest correct-response rate was observed for tinea capitis management: 31.1% recognized that topical antifungal treatment alone is insufficient, whereas 45.4% answered incorrectly and 23.5% responded “don’t know.” Self-perceived adequacy in prescribing topical corticosteroids was 3.35 ± 0.80/5. The total number of correct responses correlated weakly with self-perceived adequacy (Spearman’s ρ = 0.25, P = .006). Prior pediatric dermatology training was not significantly associated with knowledge score or self-perceived adequacy. Conclusion: Pediatricians frequently encounter dermatological complaints, but an important misconception remains regarding tinea capitis treatment. Targeted education on common childhood dermatoses, antifungal and antibacterial therapy, and safe topical corticosteroid use may help address identified gaps. Cite this article as: Balan K, .zerol AS, Korkmaz Y, Kaya A, Altunkaş BB. Pediatricians’ knowledge and self-reported practices regarding childhood dermatological diseases and topical corticosteroid use. Cerrahpaşa Med J 2026, 50, 0105, doi: 10.5152/cjm.2026.26105.