Long-term follow-up of pediatric trachyonychia.

ABSTRACT

Pediatric trachyonychia is an acquired nail disease that can cause distress to families. It is a poorly understood disease, and long-term follow-up data are lacking. We present an institutional review of 11 children with isolated pediatric trachyonychia followed over time. Children with the diagnosis of pediatric trachyonychia were identified and invited to participate. Pictures were taken on follow-up and a questionnaire was answered. Exclusion criteria include having another diagnosis at the initial visit that causes nail dystrophy. Eleven patients with the diagnosis of pediatric trachyonychia were available for follow-up. The mean age of appearance was 2.7 years (range 2-7 yrs) and the average follow-up was 66 months (range 10-126 mos). Nine patients were treated with potent topical corticosteroids, one used only petrolatum, and one took vitamin supplements. One patient was found to have an additional skin and hair diagnosis of alopecia areata on follow-up. On follow-up, 82% noted improvement of the nails, whereas 18% noted no change. A majority of cases of pediatric trachyonychia are isolated and improve with time, regardless of treatment.