Epidemiology

The condition most commonly affects children.

Overall prevalence in children is estimated to be between 5% and 12%; prevalence in children with atopic dermatitis is higher, between 20% and 45%. (1)

There is no sex or ethnic trend in the incidence of molluscum. (1)

One study in England and Wales from 2004 to 2013 found an incidence of children presenting to their GP of 2 in 1000 person-years in those under 1 year of age, 13-14 in 1000 person-years in those aged 1-9 years, and 4-5 in 1000 person-years in those aged 10-14 years. (2)

Severe molluscum infections can manifest in late-stage HIV infection, but this is less common in patients being treated with antiretroviral therapy. (3)

Reference

1. Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Piguet V, et al. Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children: a systematic review. Fam Pract. 2013 Dec 2;31(2):130-6.
2. Olsen JR, Piguet V, Gallacher J, et al. Molluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: a retrospective longitudinal study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Dec 6;66(642):e53-8.
3. Fernando I, K Edwards S, Grover D. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of genital molluscum in adults (2021). Int J STD AIDS. 2022 Apr;33(5):422-32