Alopecia Areata And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

September 2025 in “ JAAD reviews. ”

Daniel Rayner, Eric McMullen, Michelle Pham, Kshitija Mundle, Cathryn Sibbald, Jeffrey Donovan

alopecia areata gestational hypertension miscarriage preterm birth autoimmune conditions

Studysummary In this systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers evaluated the link between alopecia areata and adverse pregnancy outcomes, motivated by the condition's association with other autoimmune diseases that increase pregnancy risks. Results are not provided in the abstract.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between alopecia areata (AA) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in women, analyzing data from 5 studies with a total of 10,611,392 patients. The findings suggest low-certainty evidence that AA may increase the risk of gestational hypertension, miscarriage, and preterm birth, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.28, 1.08, and 1.07, respectively. However, there is moderate-certainty evidence that AA is probably not associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. The study highlights the need for further high-quality research to assess the impact of AA severity and the influence of comorbid autoimmune conditions on pregnancy outcomes.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Birth Outcomes of Infants Born to Mothers with Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea

January 2025 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

In this study, infants born to mothers with alopecia areata had a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, Caesarean section, and congenital malformations.

research European Expert Consensus Statement on the Systemic Treatment of Alopecia Areata

4 citations , January 2024 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This consensus statement outlines a treatment algorithm for alopecia areata, detailing systemic treatment indications and options, including EMA-approved medications baricitinib and ritlecitinib for severe cases, as well as other off-label treatments and adjuvant therapies like oral minoxidil.

research Alopecia Areata and Risk of Atopic and Autoimmune Conditions: Population-Based Cohort Study

34 citations , November 2022 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that individuals with AA have a higher incidence of atopic and autoimmune conditions, suggesting both Th1 and Th2 immune responses may play a role in its development.