The Impact of Molluscum Contagiosum on Depression, Anxiety and Quality of Life in Children
6 affiliations
- 1Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital University of Health Sciences Ankara Turkey
- 2Dermatology and Venereology Department Etlik City Hospital Ankara Turkey
- 3General Pediatric Department, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital University of Health Sciences Ankara Turkey
- 4General Pediatric Department Etlik City Hospital Ankara Turkey
- 5Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
- 6Ankara Etlik City Hospital Ankara Turkey
Abstract
This study aimed to compare depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and health‐related quality of life between children with molluscum contagiosum and healthy controls and to examine whether lesion number and anatomical localization were associated with these outcomes. This prospectively conducted cross‐sectional study included 72 children with molluscum contagiosum and 80 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls aged 6–12 years. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and health‐related quality of life were assessed using validated pediatric instruments. Psychological outcomes were also compared according to lesion number and anatomical localization. Children with molluscum contagiosum had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores and significantly lower total quality‐of‐life scores than healthy controls. Depression and anxiety scores differed significantly according to lesion localization. Children with lesions involving highly visible areas, including the face, periocular region, lips, and hands, had higher depression and anxiety scores than those with lesions on the trunk and legs. Lesion number was not significantly associated with depression, anxiety, or quality‐of‐life scores. Female sex was independently associated with approximately twofold higher odds of an elevated anxiety score. Children with molluscum contagiosum may experience greater depressive and anxiety symptoms and poorer health‐related quality of life than healthy peers. Psychological burden appears to be more closely related to lesion visibility and anatomical localization than to lesion number alone. These findings support consideration of psychological screening, particularly in children with highly visible lesions, and highlight the relevance of a broader psychodermatological approach.
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BibTeX
@article{artik2026impact,
title = {{The Impact of Molluscum Contagiosum on Depression, Anxiety and Quality of Life in Children}},
author = {Abdulbaki Artik and Hatice Atas and Tugcan Yuksek and Erman Atas and Bahar Oztelcan Gunduz and Huseyin Ilgin Bal and Selda Pelin Kartal and Halenur Teke and Burak Açıkel and Mustafa Sırrı Kotanoğlu and Mehri Durak},
journal = {The Journal of Dermatology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1111/1346-8138.70443},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/1346-8138.70443},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Impact of Molluscum Contagiosum on Depression, Anxiety and Quality of Life in Children
AU - Abdulbaki Artik
AU - Hatice Atas
AU - Tugcan Yuksek
AU - Erman Atas
AU - Bahar Oztelcan Gunduz
AU - Huseyin Ilgin Bal
AU - Selda Pelin Kartal
AU - Halenur Teke
AU - Burak Açıkel
AU - Mustafa Sırrı Kotanoğlu
AU - Mehri Durak
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/21
JO - The Journal of Dermatology
DO - 10.1111/1346-8138.70443
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/1346-8138.70443
AB - This study aimed to compare depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and health‐related quality of life between children with molluscum contagiosum and healthy controls and to examine whether lesion number and anatomical localization were associated with these outcomes. This prospectively conducted cross‐sectional study included 72 children with molluscum contagiosum and 80 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls aged 6–12 years. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and health‐related quality of life were assessed using validated pediatric instruments. Psychological outcomes were also compared according to lesion number and anatomical localization. Children with molluscum contagiosum had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores and significantly lower total quality‐of‐life scores than healthy controls. Depression and anxiety scores differed significantly according to lesion localization. Children with lesions involving highly visible areas, including the face, periocular region, lips, and hands, had higher depression and anxiety scores than those with lesions on the trunk and legs. Lesion number was not significantly associated with depression, anxiety, or quality‐of‐life scores. Female sex was independently associated with approximately twofold higher odds of an elevated anxiety score. Children with molluscum contagiosum may experience greater depressive and anxiety symptoms and poorer health‐related quality of life than healthy peers. Psychological burden appears to be more closely related to lesion visibility and anatomical localization than to lesion number alone. These findings support consideration of psychological screening, particularly in children with highly visible lesions, and highlight the relevance of a broader psychodermatological approach.
SN - 0385-2407
SN - 1346-8138
ER -