Graves' Disease: An Unusual Cause of Pediatric Alopecia Areata
May 2017
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
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Studysummary Graves' disease can cause hair loss in children and should be considered when treating pediatric alopecia areata.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document reports a case of a three-year-old male with alopecia areata, a condition affecting up to 1% of the population by age 50, who was eventually diagnosed with Graves' disease, an uncommon cause of alopecia areata in children. The patient presented with patches of hair loss and a family history of thyroid disease. Despite initial treatments for alopecia, hair loss progressed. Blood tests revealed elevated thyroid hormones and antibodies, and symptoms consistent with hyperthyroidism. Treatment with methimazole normalized thyroid function and halted alopecia progression, but did not significantly promote hair regrowth. This case highlights the importance of considering thyroid disease in pediatric patients with alopecia areata.
