TLDR About 12% of children in Kota, Rajasthan, experience hair loss, mainly due to fungal infections, with early treatment advised to prevent worsening.
In 2019, a study was conducted on 1100 children aged 0-18 years in the Kota region of South-East Rajasthan to investigate the prevalence and causes of hair loss. The study found that 11.6% of the children experienced hair loss, with the most common cause being tinea capitis (45.7%). Other causes included alopecia areata (24.1%), traction alopecia (10.3%), and trichotillomania (9.6%). The study also found that nail changes were significantly associated with alopecia areata, and that 2% of patients with telogen effluvium presented as diffuse nonscarring alopecia, often preceded by frequent illnesses and high-grade fever. The study concluded that hair loss in children in this region was a significant problem, and early diagnosis and treatment were recommended to prevent further hair loss and avoid irreversible hair loss and scarring alopecia.
11 citations,
September 2015 in “Medical Principles and Practice” In a Tuscan pediatric clinic, 7.19% of children had hair or scalp disorders, with nonscarring alopecia being the most common.
30 citations,
January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology” The most common causes of hair loss in Jordanian children are fungal infections, autoimmune hair loss, and hair shedding after fever, with zinc deficiency also being a notable cause.
5 citations,
March 2011 in “Journal of pediatric health care” The girl with autoimmune hair loss might regrow hair within a year, and treatments can help but not prevent recurrence; dermatologist referral and corticosteroids are recommended.
29 citations,
August 2008 in “Current Opinion in Pediatrics” Hair loss in teenagers is hard to treat and lacks a cure, with some treatments available depending on the type of hair loss.
34 citations,
October 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology” The most common causes of hair loss in children in South-East Nigeria are fungal infections and alopecia areata.
46 citations,
July 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Alopecia areata causes significant emotional distress, including high rates of depression and anxiety.
6 citations,
January 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology” About 12% of children in Kota, Rajasthan, experience hair loss, mainly due to fungal infections, with early treatment advised to prevent worsening.
43 citations,
August 2013 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Trichoscopy is good for diagnosing and monitoring hair and scalp problems in children but needs more research for certain conditions.
245 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
36 citations,
May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy” No treatments fully cure or prevent alopecia areata; some help but have side effects or need more research.
304 citations,
July 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Videodermoscopy improves diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders and may reduce scalp biopsies.
