EFFICACY OF TERBINAFINE AND ITRACONAZOLE IN PEDIATRIC TINEA INFECTIONS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY WITH CLINICO-MYCOLOGICAL CORRELATION
Abstract
Background: Dermatophytoses are among the most common fungal infections in children, with increasing reports of treatment resistance and recurrence. Objective: To compare the efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in pediatric patients with dermatophytosis. Methods: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was conducted in 81 patients aged 4–14 years with clinically and mycologically confirmed tinea infections. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=40) received oral terbinafine, and Group B (n=41) received oral itraconazole. Outcomes were assessed at 4 and 8 weeks. Results: At 8 weeks, clinical cure rates were 70% in the terbinafine group and 78% in the itraconazole group. Mycological cure rates were 72% and 80%, respectively. Relative risk (RR) for clinical cure was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.85–1.45), and odds ratio (OR) was 1.52 (95% CI: 0.60–3.85). Recurrence rates were lower in the itraconazole group (10% vs 15%). Conclusion: Both terbinafine and itraconazole are effective in pediatric dermatophytosis. Itraconazole demonstrated a consistent trend toward higher efficacy and lower recurrence.