Risk Factors for Pediatric Alopecia Areata: Clinical and Biochemical Findings from a Case-Control Study

January 2026 in “ Dermatology Practical & Conceptual ”

Seçil Yigen Iritaş

alopecia areata vitamin B12 ferritin TSH vitiligo allergic asthma ADHD

TLDR Children with alopecia areata often have vitiligo, allergic asthma, ADHD, and low vitamin B12 and ferritin levels.

This study investigated risk factors for pediatric alopecia areata (AA) by comparing 200 AA patients with 400 healthy controls. It found that vitiligo, allergic asthma, and ADHD were significantly more common in children with AA. Biochemically, AA patients had significantly lower levels of vitamin B12, ferritin, and TSH. Multivariable analysis identified low vitamin B12 and ferritin as independent risk factors for AA. These results highlight the need for thorough clinical and biochemical assessments in managing pediatric AA.

View this study on dpcj.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Comorbidities of Pediatric Vitiligo

4 citations , January 2025 in “JAAD reviews.”

Children with vitiligo may have other health issues like skin, thyroid, and mental health problems.

research Dupilumab Induces Hair Regrowth in Pediatric Alopecia Areata: A Real-World, Single-Center Observational Study

20 citations , July 2024 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Dupilumab helps children with alopecia areata regrow hair safely.

Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Comorbid Atopic Dermatitis on the Treatment Response to Topical Immunotherapy in Pediatric Alopecia Areata Patients

research Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Comorbid Atopic Dermatitis on the Treatment Response to Topical Immunotherapy in Pediatric Alopecia Areata Patients

January 2024 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual”

Atopic dermatitis in kids with alopecia areata can predict poor response to topical immunotherapy.

research Alopecia Areata: An Updated Review for 2023

91 citations , May 2023 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Alopecia Areata affects 2% globally, with treatments like essential oils, garlic, and JAK inhibitors showing promise, but more research is needed.

research Association of Atopic Dermatitis With Autoimmune Diseases: A Bidirectional and Multivariable Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

12 citations , March 2023 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Atopic dermatitis increases the risk of some autoimmune diseases.

research Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Treatment Patterns of Japanese Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Descriptive Study Using Japan Medical Data Center Claims Database

35 citations , November 2022 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is becoming more common in Japan, with a need for better treatments, especially for severe and pediatric cases.

research Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

16 citations , January 2022 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Certain daily habits like stress, diet, and sleep can affect the severity of hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Current Review

March 2021 in “Dermatoz”

Alopecia Areata has no cure, treatments are limited, and the condition often recurs, but new therapies like JAK inhibitors show promise.

research Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels in Childhood Alopecia Areata

January 2021 in “İzmir Dr.Behçet Uz çocuk hastanesi dergisi”

Children with Alopecia Areata often have lower vitamin D and B12 levels and higher thyroid activity.

research Autoimmune Associations of Alopecia Areata in Pediatric Population: A Study in a Tertiary Care Center

April 2020 in “IP Indian journal of clinical and experimental dermatology”

Many children with alopecia areata also have other autoimmune diseases.

research Scoping Review on the Use of Drugs Targeting JAK/STAT Pathway in Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo, and Alopecia Areata

55 citations , October 2019 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Drugs targeting the JAK/STAT pathway can improve atopic dermatitis but vary in effectiveness for vitiligo and alopecia areata, with generally mild safety concerns.

Alopecia Areata Incognita and Diffuse Alopecia Areata: Clinical, Trichoscopic, Histopathological, and Therapeutic Features of a 5-Year Study

research Alopecia Areata Incognita and Diffuse Alopecia Areata: Clinical, Trichoscopic, Histopathological, and Therapeutic Features of a 5-Year Study

23 citations , September 2019 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual”

The study concluded that AAI and DAA are forms of the same disease, with different symptoms in men and women, and that corticosteroid treatment is effective.

Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research Vitamin B12 Activates the Wnt-Pathway in Human Hair Follicle Cells by Induction of Beta-Catenin and Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Transcription

4 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications”

Vitamin B12 may promote hair growth by affecting certain cell processes.

research Serum Vitamin B12, Folate, Ferritin, and Iron Levels in Turkish Patients with Alopecia Areata

21 citations , January 2009 in “Indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology”

Vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, and iron levels are not linked to alopecia areata.

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

163 citations , November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Low iron levels may be linked to some types of hair loss in women.