Psychocutaneous disorders in paediatric population: A cross-sectional observational study in a tertiary care centre in Eastern India

Abstract

Introduction: Psychocutaneous disorders in children have been a gray zone in dermatology practice. It can be secondary to some primary dermatological disorder or can be a presentation of underlying primary psychiatric illness. There is a paucity of data regarding the occurrence of these disorders in the pediatric population. The present study was carried out to assess the proportion of primary psychiatric dermatoses in the pediatric population seeking dermatological care. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional observational study done over 6 months. All consecutive children <14 years old presenting with primary psychiatric disorders (PPDs) to the dermatology outpatient department were recruited in the study. Results: PPDs were found in 0.41% of the pediatric patients attending the outpatient department. Dermatitis artefacta was the most common PPD in our study (47.05%). Other less frequently observed PPDs were trichotillomania, lip-licking dermatitis, and nail-biting. Underlying psychiatric illness was found in 41.17% of affected children. Conclusion: Primary psychiatric dermatoses in children could go undiagnosed because of its rarity but early diagnosis is essential as it can be an early sign or a harbinger of underlying severe psychiatric illness.

Keywords

• children
• mental health
• primary psychiatric disorders
• psychocutaneous
• trichotillomania