Multiple grade II deformities in a child: Tragic effect of leprosy

Stigma is almost synonymous with visible deformity and this is what makes leprosy a dreaded disease for the common man. Deformities in children are more distressing, due to the limitation of their physical, academic and social life. An 11-year-old female child was presented with trophic ulceration of right foot and triple nerve paralysis (i.e. total claw hand with wrist drop) of the left hand of 2 years duration. In addition, she had multiple hypopigmented hypoaesthetic patches on the extremities and buttocks. She was diagnosed as a case of borderline tuberculoid leprosy and was started on WHO MB MDT therapy. Leprosy in children is an indicator for disease prevalence in general population and occurrence of deformities points towards the delay in making the diagnosis and the stigma associated with the disease.