Trichostasis Spinulosa: A Case Report of an Unusual Presentation in the Groin of a Pediatric Patient on Clonidine.

A 4-year-old girl with autism developed an unusual skin condition called trichostasis spinulosa in her groin area. This skin problem seemed to get worse when she started taking a medication called clonidine for her autism. When doctors stopped the clonidine, her skin improved. When they tried the medication again, the skin problem came back. This suggests the medication may have been causing or worsening the skin condition.

This case report describes a 4-year-old female with autism spectrum disorder who developed trichostasis spinulosa (TS), an unusual skin condition involving multiple retained hairs in enlarged hair follicles, in her groin and vulva area. The condition appeared to worsen when clonidine, prescribed for her ASD, was introduced. When clonidine was discontinued, the skin condition improved significantly, but recurred when the medication was restarted. This represents a rare case of pediatric TS in an atypical location, potentially linked to clonidine use.

The case highlights the importance of considering TS in children, even in unusual body areas, and suggests clonidine may exacerbate this condition.

Clinicians should monitor for skin changes in autistic children prescribed clonidine. Consider trichostasis spinulosa in differential diagnosis for unusual skin presentations in pediatric patients, even in atypical locations. May need to weigh benefits of clonidine against potential dermatological side effects.

Single case report with no control group. Cannot establish causal relationship between clonidine and skin condition. Limited generalizability from one patient. No long-term follow-up data provided.

Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a follicular disorder involving the retention of numerous hairs in a dilated follicle, primarily reported in adults. Drug-induced TS and pediatric TS are rarely described in the literature. We report a four-year-old female with an unusual presentation of TS localized in the groin and vulva. Interestingly, the patient's TS seemed to worsen with the introduction of clonidine for her autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The rash improved significantly once clonidine was held, and recurred when clonidine was re-started. This case highlights that TS should be considered in pediatric patients, even in atypical locations, and clonidine may exacerbate TS.