Hematological Ratios in Pediatric Patients With Alopecia Areata Based on a Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

January 2026 in “ Scientific Reports ”

Cathy Gordon, Sarah Weissmann, Nicolás André, Bracha Cohen, Inbal Golan-Tripto, Amir Horev

alopecia areata eosinophil/lymphocyte ratio eosinophil/monocyte ratio eosinophil/neutrophil ratio AA

Studysummary This study found that among pediatric patients with alopecia areata, elevated eosinophilic hematological ratios were observed, suggesting these could serve as markers for disease exacerbation and the pathophysiology of the condition.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

A nationwide retrospective cohort study involving 31,869 pediatric patients with alopecia areata (AA) analyzed hematological ratios to assess their potential as markers for disease exacerbation. The study found that the eosinophil/lymphocyte ratio (ELR), eosinophil/monocyte ratio (EMR), and eosinophil/neutrophil ratio (ENR) were significantly elevated in patients with AA compared to healthy controls. Elevated ELR and ENR increased the likelihood of AA by 3.31 and 2.61 times, respectively. Severe AA patients showed increased ELR, ENR, and EMR, with elevated ENR observed 12–18 months before diagnosis. These eosinophilic ratios could serve as promising markers for studying the pathophysiology and predicting exacerbations of AA.

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research Complete Blood Collection-Based Systemic Inflammation Biomarkers as a Severity Biomarker in Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study

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research Concurrent Eosinophilia Increases the Prevalence of Nail Abnormalities and Severity of Hair Loss in Patients With Alopecia Areata

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This study found that alopecia areata patients with eosinophilia were more likely to have severe hair loss, atopia, and nail abnormalities compared to those without eosinophilia.

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research Scalp Hair Regrowth Is Associated With Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata: Results From Two Randomized Controlled Trials

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This study found that patients with severe alopecia areata who experienced meaningful scalp hair regrowth showed greater improvements in health-related quality of life and reduced anxiety and depression compared to those with no or minimal regrowth.

research The Psychosocial Impacts of Vitiligo, Psoriasis, and Alopecia Areata on Pediatric Patients

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This review summarizes the psychosocial impact of common pediatric skin conditions like vitiligo, psoriasis, and alopecia areata, highlighting increased risks of anxiety, depression, and quality of life impairment for affected children and their caregivers, and underscores the need for improved support and research on interventions.

research Recent Advances in Understanding of the Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Hair Loss Diseases

May 2023 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine”

This review article reports recent advancements in understanding, diagnosing, and treating various hair loss conditions, like androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, including their genetic factors and new therapeutic options, while also examining the impact of COVID-19 on hair loss.

The Contributory Roles of Th17 Lymphocyte and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte at the Hair Bulge Region and Hair Bulb Area in Chronic Alopecia Areata Patients

research The Contributory Roles of Th17 Lymphocyte and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte at the Hair Bulge Region and Hair Bulb Area in Chronic Alopecia Areata Patients

18 citations , January 2017 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

This study found that Th17 lymphocytes may play a more crucial role than cytotoxic T cells in the development of alopecia areata due to their infiltration around the hair bulb/bulge, which exacerbates hair loss as histopathological grade worsens.

research Alopecia Areata Update

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research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

research Early Stage Alopecia Areata Is Associated With Inflammation in the Upper Dermis and Damage to the Hair Follicle Infundibulum

22 citations , June 2013 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

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research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

64 citations , July 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that eosinophils are a useful diagnostic feature for alopecia areata, especially when the typical "swarm of bees" lymphoid infiltrate is absent, helping differentiate it from trichotillomania.