Juvenile versus maturity-onset alopecia areata- a comparative retrospective clinical study

This retrospective study analyzed 209 patients with alopecia areata (AA) to compare juvenile and maturity-onset cases. It found that juvenile AA was more severe and had a poorer prognosis than maturity-onset AA. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding AA type and auto-antibody prevalence. Poor prognostic indicators included early onset, atopy, and ophiasis or onychodystrophy. Initial thyroid function tests were recommended, along with hair-root examination, thyroid antibody determination, and serum zinc level assessment. Psychosomatic factors were noted in 29% of juvenile and 17% of maturity-onset AA patients.