Hair Loss in Infancy and Childhood
October 2014
in “
Paediatrics and Child Health
”
TLDR The document concludes that proper diagnosis and management of hair loss in children require a detailed examination and understanding of various hair disorders.
The 2015 document provides a comprehensive overview of hair loss in infants and children, detailing the hair growth cycle, various hair disorders, and diagnostic approaches. It describes conditions such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder with a high rate of spontaneous recovery, and trichotillomania, a behavioral issue leading to hair loss. Other conditions covered include congenital issues like aplasia cutis congenita, genetic disorders like uncombable hair syndrome and woolly hair, and infections like tinea capitis. The document highlights the importance of a thorough history and examination, including techniques like the hair pull test and light microscopy, to diagnose and manage these conditions effectively in pediatric patients.