Pediatric Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A French Multicentric Retrospective Study of 20 Cases.

Cohort studyJournal of pediatrics. Clinical practice· Oct 2026

Pediatric Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A French Multicentric Retrospective Study of 20 Cases.

Marie Damez, Anne Welfringer, Christine Leaute-Labreze … Groupe de Recherche de la Société Française de Dermatologie Pédiatrique

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OphthalmologyCohort studyDiagnosisQ3IF 1.1

Scalp involvement is common in children with eyelid lice infestation, unlike prior reports.

Pediatric Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A French Multicentric Retrospective Study of 20 Cases.

Marie Damez … Groupe de Recherche de la Société Française de Dermatologie Pédiatrique

Journal of pediatrics · Oct 2026

Purpose

The aim of this multicenter retrospective study from France was to describe the clinical characteristics, the modes of transmission, and the treatments of children affected by phthiriasis palpebrarum.

Methods

Records of phthiriasis palpebrarum cases that occurred in children <18 years from 2005 to 2024 were retrieved from 9 dermatology departments and 1 liberal office in France.

n = 20 children

Results

children with eyelid lice often also had lice on their scalp

Ocular pruritus

83%

Scalp involvement

55%

Eyelid erythema

44%

Crusting of eyelid mar

41%

More results

The median age at diagnosis was 3 years and 2 months (range: 7 months-8 years).

The median delay in diagnosis was 28.5 days (range: 1 day-5 months).

A case of P pubis infection in close contacts was identified in 12 patients (63%).

The mode of contamination was identified in 53% of cases.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Contrary to the previous reports in the literature about pediatric phthiriasis palpebrarum, scalp involvement is a typical finding.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Regarding the mode of transmission, no sexual abuse has been identified, but the origins of infantile phthiriasis palpebrarum weren't systematically discerned to assess for possible abuse.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Notably, no case was registered after the age of 8 years. Different treatment protocols are used, reflecting a lack of standardization.

Pediatric Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A French Multicentric Retrospective Study of 20 Cases.

Pediatric Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A French Multicentric Retrospective Study of 20 Cases.

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