Trichotillomania in children

In this paper, we describe the sociodemographic profile, clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of 20 children with trichotillomania. These children presented to the Child Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic over a period of 6 years, with a prevalence of 1.24%. Most subjects were females (85%), hindu by religion (65%), and belonged to urban nuclear family (70%). The mean age at first presentation was 10.1 yr (SD = 4.4). Comorbid psychiatric illness and family history of psychiatric disorders was present in 40% and 20% cases, respectively. Nearly two-third of these had associated impulse; 75% denied resistance to pluck. Children who continued treatment, showed improvement.