Childhood acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a frequently encountered dermatological condition seen commonly in middle aged or elderly, but in the recent times, there has been an increase in the childhood cases, especially in the adolescent age group. AN clinically manifested as dark, velvety, and thickened skin, symmetrically distributed over the neck, axillae, other flexural regions of the body and face. Facial AN, a somewhat recent entity that has been described and significant association with obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic syndrome, has been established. AN was once considered a rare paraneoplastic dermatosis but is now frequently observed in obese adolescents. Obesity in adolescence is a public health priority because it usually tracks into adulthood, resulting in enormous medical and social costs. This underscores the importance of early identification and intervention. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of AN in childhood, including history, definition, classification, its clinical significance, management challenges, and the direction of future research.