Skin diseases are a major health problem in the paediatric age group and are associated with significant morbidity. The prevalence of paediatric dermatoses in various parts of India has ranged from 8.7% to 35% in school-based surveys. Skin diseases in the paediatric age group can be transitory or chronic and recurrent. The chronic dermatoses are associated with significant morbidity and psychological impact. Paediatric dermatosis requires a separate view from adult dermatoses as there are important differences in clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis. Dermatoses in children are more influenced by socio-economic status, climatic exposure, dietary habits and external environment as compared to adults. Cutaneous infections are common in children during school going years. Most of the cutaneous diseases which result from intrinsic genetic abnormalities also have onset in the pediatric age-group. Various epidemiological studies have been undertaken across the world including India to study the pattern of paediatric dermatoses. The epidemiological data in Indian studies is based on the pattern of pediatric dermatoses in school going children in both urban and rural areas, and in tertiary care hospitals (medical colleges). We enumerate different studies on the pattern of paediatric dermatosis, with special emphasis on the pattern in India.