Trichotillomania, Trichophagia and Trichobezoar in a Male Paediatric Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Trichotillomania and tricophagia, characterized by compulsive hair-pulling and subsequent ingestion which results in a compact mass of hair called trichobezoar. It represents an uncommon psychiatric disorder, especially in young children. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes a distinctive and rare occurrence of trichotillomania, tricophagia and trichobezoar in a 11-year-old male child. Concerns raised by the parents regarding noticeable hair loss, who initially presented to medical outdoor patient with complaints of abdominal pain on and off from the last one year. He had a history of pica and weight-loss. He was then diagnosed with a gastric trichobezoar for which he was operated upon and a giant trichobezoar was retrieved from his stomach. Post-operatively patient remained admitted in ward and was discharged home on fifth post-operative day and sent for psychiatry evaluation. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Trichotillomania and tricophagia often have roots in psychosocial stressors, anxiety, and depression. Children may engage in hair-pulling as a coping mechanism, especially in response to familial or environmental stressors. The literature emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychosocial context to tailor interventions effectively. CONCLUSION: Trichotillomania and tricophagia is very rare in paediatric population and if presents a multidisciplinary team comprising of a paediatrition, paediatric surgeon and paediatric psychiatrist should be involved and if diagnosed with a gastric trichobezoar should be removed surgically in order to prevent complications.

«Doctora, yo como pelo». Tricotilomanía con tricofagia / «Doctor, I Eat Hair». Trichotillomania with Tricophagia

Se presenta caso de mujer que dice que se come el pelo desde la infancia para lograr alivio momentáneo en situaciones estresantes.En la anamnesis, refiere antecedentes familiares con otros comportamientos compulsivos, incluyendo un familiar que también come pelo.Conclusiones: es clave una anamnesis bien estructurada que explore trastornos neurológicos y psiquiátricos bien definidos, así como el diseño de un árbol genealógico lo más exhaustivo posible para descartar implicaciones genéticas.Descartar trastornos dermatológicos con la dermatoscopia.Es fundamental concienciar a la paciente de posibles complicaciones y comorbilidades como las obstrucciones digestivas y avanzar la pobre eficacia de los tratamientos con psicofármacos.(AU)

There is a case of a woman who refers to eating her hair since childhood for momentary relief in response to stressful situations. In the anamnesis, she refers to a family history with other compulsive behaviors, including another member who also eats her hair.Conclusions: a well-structured history that explores well-defined neurological and psychiatric disorders as well as the design of a family tree as exhaustive as possible to rule out genetic implications is key.Rule out dermatological disorders with the help of dermoscopy.It´s essential to make the patient aware of possible complications, comorbidities such as digestive obstructions and advance the poor effectiveness of treatments with psychotropic drugs(AU)