Lyme borreliosis in children in northwest Croatia

In this study Lyme borreliosis in children in northwest Croatia during the time between 1990 and 1999 has been retrospectively analysed. The epidemiological aspect of the disease is presented especially sex distribution, age distribution, contact with ticks (tick-bite in anamnesis), and also clinical manifestations and serological results of the disease in patients. In 46 registered cases of Lyme borreliosis in children in northwest Croatia, erythema migrans dominates in their clinical manifestations in 41%, followed by facial paresis in 25%, Lyme arthritis 10%, lymphadenopathia 6%, general symptoms 6%, chorioretinitis 6%, lymphocytoma 4%, and peripheric neuritis 2%. No diference was found, in the epidemiological data in sex distribution, between the male and the female gender (M:F/52:48). In the age distribution the 7-14 years age group dominates with 67%. Positive contact with ticks was registered in 83% of all patients. New directions were studied and given in diagnostic, treatment and prophylaxis of Lyme borreliosis, based of our own experience and new literature data. They are very important for endemic area of tick-borne diseases, such as the continental part of Croatia.