Visual Diagnosis: The Case of the Balding Preschooler

    November 2017 in “ Pediatrics in Review ”
    Somya Abubucker, Bernard A. Cohen
    Image of study
    TLDR A 4-year-old girl with hair loss was diagnosed with early-onset trichotillomania and improved with behavioral interventions.
    In a case study from 2017, a 4-year-old girl presented with hair loss without any associated symptoms or relevant medical history, except for a maternal uncle with alopecia areata. Examination revealed a patch of hair thinning with normal scalp skin and negative hair pull test, while trichoscopy showed broken hairs. The diagnosis was early-onset trichotillomania (TTM), a hair-pulling disorder typically starting at age 11 to 13, but in this case presenting earlier. TTM has a lifetime prevalence of 0.6% to 4.0%. The girl's treatment involved behavioral interventions and discontinuing clobetasol cream. After 3 months, her hair pulling had decreased and hair regrowth was observed. The case highlights that TTM is diagnosed clinically and that early-onset TTM can be effectively managed with behavioral strategies.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    4 / 4 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  445 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Alopecia Areata Question

      in Treatment  2 upvotes 3 years ago
      A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

      community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

      in Chat 6 months ago
      A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.

      community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

      in Treatment  1 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

    Similar Research

    6 / 1000+ results