Telogen effluvium presenting as frontotemporal and central hair loss in a Nigerian infant

Abstract

Telogen effluvium usually presents as a diffuse non-scarring hair loss affecting the scalp. A compatible clinical history may be suggestive. However, other hair loss types like androgenetic alopecia and diffuse alopecia areata may mimic TE due to a similar clinical appearance.  

Furthermore, relying on known clinical patterns may lead to underdiagnosis as atypical patterns may be missed. Focal non-scarring hair loss in infants in our environment is usually attributed to pressure alopecia especially if the location is central or occipital.

The gold standard of making a definitive diagnosis in most forms of alopecia is scalp biopsy. In settings where biopsy is not feasible or practicable, trichoscopy serves a useful purpose in establishing the diagnosis of hair loss types especially those presenting with unusual clinical patterns as was the case in this 8-year old infant with telogen effluvium from nutritional deficiency presenting with multifocal hair loss