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First regional confab on pediatric dermatology opens

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 4: Dr. Atlal Al-Lafi, Chair of the First Regional Conference for Pediatric Dermatology and Head of the Council of Dermatology Departments in the Ministry of Health, disclosed to Al-Seyassah that eczema is the most prevalent skin condition among children in Kuwait, affecting up to 25 percent of them. She highlighted the prevalence of hereditary skin diseases, especially in cases of consanguineous marriages, where it can manifest at birth as thinning of the skin, chronic ulcers, and blisters. In some families, multiple children may be affected by these conditions.

Dr. Al-Lafi emphasized that the diagnosis of hereditary skin diseases necessitates genetic testing. Kuwait utilizes two methods for diagnosis, leveraging the services of the Ghanima Al-Ghanem Center for Genetic Diseases, as well as genetic centers in the UK and Taiwan, to ensure accurate genetic diagnoses that aid families in managing the disease. She noted that this category of diseases constitutes less than 1 percent of the total skin diseases in the country.

The inaugural session of the first regional conference on pediatric dermatology took place today, featuring numerous contributions from consultant doctors in pediatric subspecialties from Kuwait and other Arab Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, as well as European countries including the UK, Spain, and Cyprus, and countries in the Americas like Argentina, Mexico, and Canada, along with representatives from India, Singapore, and Malaysia. Dr. Al-Lafi stressed that the conference serves as a platform for discussing the latest advancements in diagnosing and treating skin diseases in children, fostering knowledge exchange among experts in the field. The conference spans three days, culminating in recommendations that will be implemented in Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the broader Arab world, aiming to enhance healthcare services in this domain.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Lafi mentioned the establishment of communication channels with international medical centers to benefit from their expertise and to share Kuwait’s experience with the world, given its more than 30-year history in this field. She underlined the significance of addressing various skin diseases affecting children, both genetic and hereditary, within the scope of conference activities.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff