Alopecia Universalis in an Adolescent Successfully Treated with Upadacitinib: A Case Report and Review of the Literature on the Use of JAK Inhibitors in Pediatric Alopecia Areata

January 2023 in “ Dermatology and therapy ”

Kinga Kołcz, Magdalena Żychowska, Edyta Sawińska, Adam Reich

alopecia universalis upadacitinib JAK1 inhibitor alopecia areata atopic dermatitis JAK inhibitors AU AA AD

TLDR A 14-year-old girl with severe hair loss regrew her hair using upadacitinib.

A 14-year-old girl with alopecia universalis (AU) and mild atopic dermatitis (AD) was successfully treated with the JAK1 inhibitor upadacitinib, leading to complete hair regrowth and resolution of eczema after 3 months. This case highlights the potential of JAK inhibitors, particularly upadacitinib, as effective treatments for pediatric alopecia areata (AA), with minimal adverse effects observed. The literature supports the efficacy and safety of various JAK inhibitors in treating AA in children, though data is primarily from single case reports and case series.

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