[Acquired alopecia in childhood]

Hair Loss in Children: A Clinicoetiological Study from South India

Background:

Scalp hair loss in children is one of the common complaints encountered in dermatological practice. Accurate diagnosis of hair loss in children is of major significance as it can have severe psychological implications given the cosmetic importance of hair.

Aims:

This study aims to study the different causes and clinical presentations of scalp hair loss in children.

Materials and Methods:

This was a hospital-based descriptive study that enrolled a total of 170 children with scalp hair loss. A detailed history, scalp, and hair examination were done. Bedside investigations such as KOH mount, hair shaft microscopy, and hair pull tests were conducted. Scalp biopsy and dermoscopy were done wherever necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Results:

Majority of the children with scalp hair loss were school going and adolescents accounting for 62.4% of cases; 52.4% of patients were male and 47.6% were female. Asymptomatic hair loss was the most common presenting complaint contributing to 71.2% of cases. Patchy pattern of scalp hair loss formed a majority (86.5%) compared to diffuse pattern (13.5%). Around 89.4% of scalp hair loss were of acquired type and remaining 10.6% were of congenital type. Neonatal occipital alopecia (38.9%) was the most common cause of congenital hair loss. However, in the acquired group, 90.1% had nonscarring and 9.9% had scarring alopecia. In the nonscarring group, tinea capitis, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium accounted for 47.4%, 37.9%, and 8.8% of cases, respectively.

Conclusion:

Childhood alopecia is different from adult alopecia in terms of causes and the pattern of presentation. There is a scarcity of literature on childhood alopecia from India, hence, this study can serve as a useful guide in understanding the different causes and its presentation in our population. In addition, this study signifies the importance of simple diagnostic tests such as KOH and hair shaft microscopy in the diagnosis of common hair loss conditions in children.

A Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Scalp Hair Loss in Children (0-18 Years) in Kota Region, South-East Rajasthan

BACKGROUND

Currently, the studies related to hair loss in children showed the variable prevalence of different clinical patterns and causes of scalp hair loss, that had regional variation.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology and clinical pattern of scalp hair loss in children (0-18 years age group).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 300 children presenting with scalp hair loss were studied during a period of 1 year from April 2015 to March 2016. The results were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common disorder found in this study was tinea capitis seen in 166 (55.33%) cases followed by alopecia areata, seborrheic dermatitis, pediculosis with secondary infection. Other uncommon causes were lichen planopilaris, tractional alopecia, telogen effluvium, nevus sebaceous, occipital neonatal alopecia, ectodermal dysplasia, scalp psoriasis, trichotillomania, and alopecia due to nutritional deficiency. Several other rare causes were identified in this study.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that hair loss in children in our region is not an uncommon problem and results from a variety of causes. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent further hair loss and to avoid irreversible hair loss and scarring alopecia. As has been observed in this study, hair problem may be due to important nutritional deficiency. We should be aware of such presentation. These may be a clue to the diagnosis of systemic illness.

Hair loss in children: common and uncommon causes; clinical and epidemiological study in jordan

Background:

Alopecia is a common complaint in dermatology clinics, and can be caused by a number of conditions, and has patterns that are different from that seen in adults.

Aim of Study:

No previous studies investigating the clinical types of hair loss in Jordan and its epidemiology. The ultimate aim was to provide a guide for the evaluation of hair loss commonly occurring in childhood in our environment.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 2800 children were seen at the dermatology clinics (Karak teaching hospital and Mutah university medical center) during January 2009 to October 2013 complaining of various clinical dermatological symptoms.

Results:

Of these patients, 210 children were complaining of hair loss and scalp disorders (7.5% of pediatric dermatology cases seen in Jordan). The most common presentation was asymptomatic patchy hair loss (40%). Other symptoms were scaly scalp (22.9%), diffuse hair loss (21.4%), change in hair texture and color (8.1%), pruritus (5.7%), and pain in the scalp (1%). Tinea capitis was the commonest causes of hair loss (40.0%) followed by alopecia areata (26.2%) and telogen effluvium (17.6%). Other common causes of hair loss were observed in this study, these include chronic diffuse form of hair loss, trichotillomania, and traction alopecia.

Conclusions:

As has been observed in this study, hair problem may be due to important nutritional deficiency such as iron and zinc elements, and this is very important problem to think of especially in developing countries. Therefore, hair examination by a pediatrician or dermatologist is an important part of the physical examination.