Abstract: We report 5 cases of infant kerion celsi treated with itraconazole oral solution and review the related literature. The 5 cases were aged from 2 to 12 months, clinical manifestations included scalp erythema, scales, abscess and alopecia. The diagnosis was based on the dermascopy characteristics of the damaged hair, the fungal spores and/or hyphae confirmend under the fluorescence microscope after the calcium fluorescence white staining of the diseased hairs. The 5 cases were all cured with itraconazole solution at a dosage of 5 mg/kg·d, and the treatment courses varied from 3 to 12 weeks. Only one patient had mild transient diarrhea during the treatment process, and gradually relieved without medication withdrawal. The characteristics and efficacy of itraconazole in treating infantile tinea capitis from the 7 cases reported in the literature were analyzed. The conclusion of itraconazole oral solution is convenient, safe, effective and well tolerated in treating infantile tinea capitis.

Key words: infant, tinea capitis, kerion celsi, dermoscopy, calcium fluorescent microscopy, itraconazole oral solution