Hair Loss After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

July 2003 in “ Pediatric Critical Care Medicine ”

Robert Pettignano, Micheal Heard, Michele D. Labuz, Scott Wagoner, James D. Fortenberry

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation hair loss telogen effluvium stressors hair regrowth ECMO TE

TLDR Most patients experience temporary hair loss after ECMO, but it usually grows back within 6 months without treatment.

In a 2003 study, researchers found that out of 9 surveyed patients who had undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 8 experienced hair loss ranging from less than 10% to more than 50%. This hair loss occurred between 2 weeks and 3 months post-ECMO and lasted from 1 to 6 months. All patients had hair regrowth by 6 months after the initial loss without seeking medical treatment. The study concluded that hair loss after ECMO is likely due to telogen effluvium (TE), a condition caused by various stressors, and is multifactorial but resolves spontaneously. Patients and families should be informed about this potential side effect, and during the period of hair loss, it is advised to avoid vigorous hair care. The prognosis for hair regrowth is excellent, with spontaneous regrowth typically complete within 6 months.

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research Telogen Effluvium: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

144 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that can resolve on its own or become chronic, with treatment depending on early diagnosis.

research Hair and Systemic Disease

58 citations , October 2001 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Hair loss can indicate underlying systemic diseases and addressing these can sometimes reverse the hair loss.

research Telogen Effluvium: Acute and Chronic Hair Loss Conditions

32 citations , January 1997 in “Dermatology”

Telogen effluvium is a hair loss condition with acute cases resolving quickly and chronic cases potentially lasting longer, sometimes requiring treatment.

research Drug-Induced Hair Loss and Hair Growth

147 citations , April 1994 in “Drug Safety”

Some drugs can cause hair loss or increase hair growth, but these effects are usually reversible when the drug is stopped.

research TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM: AN ETIOPATHOGENETIC THEORY

13 citations , May 1993 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The paper suggests that telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss, may be a long-lasting condition triggered by stress or illness in people whose hair growth is unusually synchronized.