Telogen Effluvium as the First Symptom of Crohn's Disease in a Child

In 2014, a case study was presented of a 10-year-old child who experienced telogen effluvium, a form of hair loss, as the first symptom of Crohn's disease. This hair loss occurred a year before the diagnosis of Crohn's disease and was the only symptom at the time. Other potential causes of hair loss, such as micronutrient deficiencies, endocrine imbalance, or chemical exposure, were ruled out. Eight months after the onset of hair loss, the child showed mild iron deficiency and signs of social retraction. Two months before the final diagnosis of Crohn's disease, more characteristic symptoms appeared, including mild fever, oral apthous ulcers, and weight loss. The child's hair loss improved after the remission of Crohn's disease, worsened during a relapse, and gradually resolved when complete remission was achieved. This case suggests that telogen effluvium can be an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease.