Skin infection rate quadruple for Maori, Pacific Islanders

By REBECCA WALSH health reporter

Pacific Island and Maori children are nearly four times more likely to suffer skin infections than their European counterparts, an Auckland study has found.

The study, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, looked at patient admissions to Middlemore Hospital in 2000.

It identified 91 children, aged 1 to 14, with either skin abscesses or cellulitis, a skin infection that penetrates below the surface and often requires surgical treatment.

Severe forms of skin infections can be limb- or life-threatening.

Of the 91 children identified, 73 were Polynesian, and 38 of those were Maori.

The researchers estimated that the incidence of skin infection among the Polynesian population was 137.7 per 100,000, compared with 35.4 per 100,000 among European children.

But they said further research was needed to identify whether genetic or social and environmental factors were involved.

Dr Alison Leversha, a community paediatrician at Starship children's hospital, where cellulitis is one of the leading causes of admission, said the results did not surprise her. Earlier studies had revealed similar figures.

Skin infections were more common among disadvantaged families, where overcrowding was more likely, she said.

Infections could easily spread through shared bedding, clothing and towels.

Children low in iron or other nutrients were also more prone.

But she said Pacific people also had higher rates of other types of infection.

"I would hesitate to say it was totally socio-economic. At the moment we don't believe there's any genetic involvement, but we don't know."

Dr Leversha said cellulitis, which could start with a cut or mosquito bite, should be preventable through good hygiene. Any scratch or insect bite should be washed frequently and antiseptic used.

Anyone with an infection should not share towels or bedding.

Last year the Auckland District Health Board started a campaign to reduce cellulitis in Glen Innes, which has one of the worst rates in the city.

Preliminary results show that the number of people hospitalised with cellulitis in the area has dropped.

Between July and December, 30 to 40 cellulitis patients from Glen Innes were hospitalised, compared with 50 to 60 for the same period in 2002.

Skin infections

* Infection rate in Polynesian population was 137.7 per 100,000, compared with 35.4 per 100,000 among European children.

* Some infections, such as abscesses or cellulitis, can require surgical treatment.

* Cellulitis is one of the leading causes of admission to Starship children's hospital.