Canities and Alopecia in Children Associated with Avitaminosis

The document discusses the severe hair disturbances observed in infants and young children with extreme avitaminosis at the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Costa Rica over the past three years. These disturbances are linked to severe deficiencies in vitamins such as vitamin A, riboflavin, and conditions like pellagra, beriberi, and nutritional edemas. Such extreme cases are not typically seen in the United States, highlighting the difference in nutritional deficiency reactions between regions. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these severe cases to better comprehend subclinical nutritional deficiencies.