Background:
Superficial fungal infections (SFIs) are among the most common infectious dermatoses in children worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria, they remain highly prevalent, yet under-prioritised in public health policy. Objective: To systematically review the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, risk factors, and public health implications of superficial fungal infections among Nigerian children and assess whether they meet criteria consistent with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Methods:
We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, and institutional repositories for studies published from 2005 to 2025 that reported primary epidemiological data on SFIs in Nigerian children. Inclusion criteria comprised studies reporting prevalence and clinical patterns in individuals ≤18 years, and available in English. Data were extracted on study location, population studied, sample size, prevalence rates and clinical types of SFI, common organisms and risk factors.
Results:
Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Reported prevalence ranged from 4.7% to 75.7%, with most studies documenting rates of 20–60%. Tinea capitis was consistently the predominant infection, particularly among children aged 6–12 years, with male predominance. Risk factors included overcrowding, poor hygiene, low socioeconomic status, and sharing of personal grooming tools. Diagnostic heterogeneity and limited mycological confirmation were common limitations. The review showed some similarities between SFIs and the officially recognised neglected tropical diseases.
Conclusion:
Superficial fungal infections are highly prevalent among Nigerian children but remain under-recognised in national disease prioritisation frameworks. There’s a need to designate these infections as neglected tropical diseases in order to improve their control and prevention.
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