The number of New Zealand children being admitted to
hospital with serious skin infections has almost doubled over
the past two decades and could be linked to rising income
inequalities, according to an Otago University researcher.
A study, led by Associate Professor Michael Baker and Cathryn
O'Sullivan, found there were 547 cases of serious skin
infections, such as cellulitis, abscesses and impetigo, per
100,000 children last year compared to 298 per 100,000 in
1990.
On average more than 100 children a week are admitted to
hospital for treatment of skin infections, with most needing
intravenous antibiotics and one-third requiring surgery.
Prof Baker said the study presented a "distressing picture
for our children".
"We already had high rates of these infections compared to
other similar countries," Prof Baker said.
He said the skin infections caused children unnecessary
suffering and were "highly preventable" with early treatment
by GPs.
The high rate of serious skin infections also cost district
healthbBoards about $15 million a year and reduced hospitals'
capacity to treat other surgical conditions.
The study found that nearly three times as many Maori
children and four times as many Pacific Island children
developed serious skin infections compared to other
ethnicities.
Cases which required hospital treatment were just the "tip of
the iceberg" with an estimated 60,000 children visiting GPs
every year for treatment of skin infections.
Although the research did not look into causes behind the
rise in infections, Prof Baker said it could be linked to
rising income inequalities.
"More research is essential so we can identify the causes of
this health problem, introduce preventative measures and
improve early treatment," he said.
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