Androgenetic Alopecia in the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Review of 57 Patients

This study retrospectively reviewed 57 pediatric patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and found that AGA is not uncommon in adolescents and can be the presenting sign of an underlying endocrine disorder. The male to female ratio was 2:1, and the average age at initial presentation with AGA was 14.8 years. Family history was reported in 83% of patients. The most common presentation in boys was thinning of the vertex with varying degrees of bitemporal thinning, while in girls, the characteristic clinical picture was diffuse thinning of scalp hair or hair loss most pronounced at the crown. The study suggests that early-onset AGA in boys, especially if in a female pattern, and/or aberrant signs of pubertal development should prompt a full endocrine evaluation. Topical minoxidil appears to be safe and effective in adolescents with AGA.