Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome in Black-Haired Indian Children

The study conducted over two years from October 2010 to October 2012 explored the prevalence of Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome (LAHS) in black-haired Indian children, a demographic where the condition was previously not commonly reported. Out of 526 children under 12 years old who were examined for nonscarring hair loss and other related symptoms, 8 children (1.5%) were diagnosed with LAHS. The findings indicated an equal prevalence among males and females, with the affected children's ages ranging from 2 to 10 years and a mean age of 4.6 years. Diagnosis was made through clinical examination, hair pull test, and trichogram, with a diagnostic criterion of having 70% or more loose anagen hairs. The study concluded that LAHS is present in dark-skinned children and that it is often underdiagnosed, particularly in boys, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and proper counseling as the condition tends to improve with age.