Alopecia in Children

The document from 2000 examines the different types of alopecia in children, categorizing them into congenital/hereditary and acquired, which can be further classified as scarring or nonscarring, and localized or diffuse. It states that nonscarring alopecia accounts for at least 90% of pediatric hair loss cases, with alopecia areata, tinea capitis, and trichotillomania being the most common acquired forms. The paper highlights the significance of understanding hair growth cycles and hair structure, and it discusses various congenital alopecias, hair shaft deformities, and the genetic mapping of a hairless gene. It also notes the lack of effective treatments for certain conditions. Alopecia areata is emphasized as an unpredictable condition with a prevalence of 1% to 6.7% among pediatric dermatology patients, while tinea capitis is recognized as a prevalent fungal infection in children. Trichotillomania is described as more common in children, especially girls. The document concludes that while most cases of alopecia in children are due to a few common conditions and are relatively easy to diagnose, diagnosing rarer conditions requires skill and a systematic approach involving patient history, examination, and various investigations.