Abstract： Objective To assess the clinical characteristics of pityriasis versicolor (PV) in children vs adults. Methods Questionnaire was designed and given to consecutive patients with PV in the Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Children's Hospital, for collection of information on their sex, age, onset age, duration of disease, localization of lesions, inducement, onset season, and family history. Findings on mycological examination before and after medication were assessed. Results Totally, 483 children with PV were enrolled, including 286 (59.2%) boys and 197 (40.8%) girls. Patients aged from 15 days to 12 years. Facial lesions were the most frequent (n = 207, 42.9% ) manifestation with a preference on the forehead (n = 143, 69.1% ). Hyperhidrosis was found in 405 (83.9%) patients, and family history of PV in 38 (7.9%) patients. Patients were instructed to apply bifonazole 1% cream on lesions. After more than 2 weeks of treatment, 447 (92.5%) patients obtained both clinical and mycological improvement. Conclusions Difference is present between pediatric and adult PV in clinical manifestations and pathogenic factors. Furthermore, PV should be differentially diagnosed from other hypopigmented skin conditions on the face in children.