Hair Loss in Children
May 1993
in “
Archives of Disease in Childhood
”
alopecia areata trichotillomania aplasia cutis sebaceous naevus telogen effluvium chemical exposure endocrine disorders nutritional deficiencies scalp ringworm traumatic hair loss structural hair shaft defects behavioral management psychotherapy clomipramine hair-pulling disorder stress-related hair loss ringworm hair shaft defects behavioral therapy therapy Anafranil
TLDR Children's hair loss can be caused by many factors, including autoimmune diseases, emotional stress, genetics, and infections, with treatment and prognosis varying.
The document from 1993 discusses various causes of hair loss in children, including alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition with varying prognosis, and trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder often linked to emotional distress. It highlights congenital conditions like aplasia cutis and sebaceous naevus, hereditary factors, stress-related telogen effluvium, chemical exposure, endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and infections like scalp ringworm as potential causes. Traumatic hair loss from physical hair styles and structural hair shaft defects are also mentioned. Two case studies are presented: a 9-year-old girl and a 5.5-year-old boy, both experiencing hair loss due to stress and emotional issues, with subsequent hair regrowth after the underlying problems were addressed. Behavioral management and psychotherapy are suggested treatments, with clomipramine as a drug option for severe cases. The prognosis is generally good for young children but more guarded for adolescent females with significant hair loss.
