RT Book, Section
A1 Metry, Denise W.
A2 Rudolph, Colin D.
A2 Rudolph, Abraham M.
A2 Lister, George E.
A2 First, Lewis R.
A2 Gershon, Anne A.
SR Print(0)
ID 7033750
T1 Chapter 368. Infestations
T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-149723-7
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7033750
RD 2024/09/14
AB Scabies  is  a  common  condition  in  children  caused  by  an  infestation  of  the  Sarcoptes  scabiei  mite.  Scabies  is  primarily  contracted  by  direct  contact  with  an  infested  person;  therefore,  the  acquisition  and  spread  of  scabies,  particularly  from  parents  to  children,  or  mother  to  infant,  occurs  with  relative  ease.  The  highest  prevalence  is  in  children  younger  than  2  years.  The  disease  affects  all  age  groups,  races,  and  social  classes;  however,  poor  socioeconomic  conditions,  in  particular,  crowding,  lack  of  proper  hygiene,  and  immunosuppression,  are  risk  factors  for  the  disease.  The  female  mite  burrows  through  the  skin,  leaving  behind  a  trail  of  debris,  eggs,  and  feces.  Clinical  findings  result  from  hypersensitivity  and  irritation  to  the  mite  and  mite  products.  Scabies  infestation  is  extremely  pruritic  and  notoriously  worse  at  night.  Frequently,  other  family  members  also  complain  of  itching.