A Study of Leishmaniasis in Children Under 18 in Italy Looking at Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by Leishmania parasites that can affect the skin or internal organs in children. Symptoms may resemble other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can worsen outcomes. Researchers are studying pediatric leishmaniasis in Italy to better understand its clinical and epidemiological characteristics, especially focusing on delays in diagnosis and treatment and the resulting patient outcomes. This observational study collects data from children diagnosed according to World Health Organization criteria, including retrospective and prospective information from multiple centers. The study involves children younger than 18 years diagnosed with visceral, cutaneous, or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Researchers gather clinical, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome data from medical records and follow-up visits during the first year after diagnosis. Different treatment approaches, particularly for cutaneous leishmaniasis, are assessed to compare healing and patient outcomes. The study includes patients evaluated from January 1, 2013, through June 30, 2031. Participants provide data at diagnosis and during follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months to measure recovery, relapse, death rates, and disease severity. Researchers also analyze risk factors for complicated disease forms and relapse over time. Data collection includes clinical assessments and treatment monitoring, aiming to improve understanding of pediatric leishmaniasis over the study period. The total observation period extends up to 18 years, covering both past and ongoing cases.

LEISH-PED: Study on Leishmaniasis in Children