This randomized clinical trial sought to investigate the effectiveness and safety of oral Terbinafine versus Itraconazole in tackling tinea capitis among pediatric patients.

The study encompassed 53 children diagnosed with tinea capitis. Volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups utilizing a random number table. The Terbinafine group was given varying doses of oral Terbinafine based on weight (<20 kg, 62.5 mg/day; 20 - 40 kg, 125 mg/day; >40 kg, 250 mg/day), while the Itraconazole group was given oral Itraconazole at doses ranging from 3 to 5 mg/kg/day. Statistical assessment was carried out with the aid of SPSS 23.0 software. Using chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, the enumeration data was examined between the study groups.

Among the participants, 27 received oral Terbinafine (17 with tinea alba; 10 with kerion), and 26 received oral Itraconazole (17 with tinea alba; 9 with kerion). Following therapy, 14 children (51.85%) in the Terbinafine group were cured, comprising 5 with tinea alba and 9 with kerion. In the Itraconazole group, 25 children (96.15%) were cured, including 16 with tinea alba and 9 with kerion. The Itraconazole group illustrated a substantially higher response rate as opposed to the Terbinafine group (χ² = 13.37, P < 0.001).

Itraconazole demonstrated superior effectiveness in tackling pediatric tinea alba when compared to Terbinafine, while both drugs showed equivalent efficacy in ameliorating pediatric kerion.