Hair Loss in Children: Common and Uncommon Causes; Clinical and Epidemiological Study in Jordan

January 2013 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”

Khitam Al‐Refu

tinea capitis alopecia areata telogen effluvium zinc deficiency trichotillomania traction alopecia structural hair abnormalities ringworm of the scalp patchy hair loss diffuse hair loss nutritional deficiency

Studysummary This study found that in Jordanian children, tinea capitis, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium were the most common causes of hair loss, with nutritional deficiencies such as iron and zinc deficiency also noted as significant factors.

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The study, conducted on 210 children out of 2800 attending dermatology clinics in Jordan, found that the most common causes of hair loss were tinea capitis (40.5%), alopecia areata (26.2%), and telogen effluvium (17.6%). Tinea capitis was identified by patchy hair loss, alopecia areata by patchy or diffuse hair loss with a normal scalp, and telogen effluvium by diffuse non-scarring alopecia often following a fever. Additionally, zinc deficiency was frequently found to be a cause of chronic hair loss, despite the absence of typical deficiency signs. Other observed causes included trichotillomania and traction alopecia, as well as structural hair abnormalities in some cases. The study underscored the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent hair loss and stressed the need to address nutritional deficiencies in developing countries.

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