Pediatric Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Review of Clinical Characteristics, Hormonal Assays, and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in 23 Patients

January 2022 in “ Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia ”

Deren Özcan

androgenetic alopecia AGA diffuse thinning trichoscopic findings hair diameter diversity metabolic syndrome MetS obesity overweight free testosterone total testosterone

Studysummary This study suggests that pediatric androgenetic alopecia is often associated with metabolic syndrome risk factors, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis for potential future health complications. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This retrospective study of 23 pediatric patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) found that AGA is more common in adolescents, with a mean age of 15.3 years, and affects both genders equally. The most frequent hair loss pattern was diffuse thinning at the crown, and trichoscopic findings showed >20% hair diameter diversity in all patients. Notably, 60.9% of the patients had at least one metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factor, with obesity or overweight being the most common. Increased levels of free and total testosterone were observed in some patients, but other hormonal levels were generally normal. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing AGA in pediatric patients for timely diagnosis and management, and highlights the need to screen for MetS risk factors to prevent future cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

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Research cited in this study

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research Association of Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Metabolic Syndrome

5 citations , February 2021 in “JCPSP. Journal of the College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan”

This study investigated the relationship between early-onset androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome in younger males, but the abstract does not report specific results.

research Pediatric Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

8 citations , August 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia is a significant yet under-recognized cause of hair loss in children and adolescents, often linked to family history and typically diagnosed by clinical examination.

research The Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Children: Considerations of Pathophysiological Plausibility

7 citations , June 2019 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses the role of androgen hormones in the pathophysiology of childhood androgenetic alopecia and reports no clinical results.

Gender-Specific Risk Factors for Androgenetic Alopecia in the Korean General Population: Associations with Medical Comorbidities and General Health Behaviors

research Gender-Specific Risk Factors for Androgenetic Alopecia in the Korean General Population: Associations with Medical Comorbidities and General Health Behaviors

7 citations , January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, male Koreans with androgenetic alopecia showed a significant association with hypertension, whereas females did not demonstrate this link.

research Alopecia and the Metabolic Syndrome

30 citations , September 2017 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review explores the relationship between androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome, suggesting an association that supports considering cardiovascular risk assessments in patients with this type of hair loss.

research Androgenic Alopecia: An Entity to Consider in Adolescence

6 citations , July 2017 in “Case Reports”

This case study describes a 15-year-old girl with progressive hair thinning and reduced hair density at the frontal scalp, with a family history of alopecia.

research Metabolic Syndrome in Androgenic Alopecia

16 citations , January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This study found that men with early-onset androgenic alopecia had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to controls without the condition.

research Alopecia and Its Association with Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis

48 citations , October 2014 in “International Journal of Cardiology”

This meta-analysis found that people with alopecia have an increased risk of coronary heart disease and several cardiovascular risk factors compared to those without alopecia.

research Androgenetic Alopecia, Metabolic Syndrome, and Insulin Resistance: Is There Any Association? A Case-Control Study

34 citations , January 2014 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

This study supports evaluating metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in young males with advanced androgenic alopecia to potentially reduce future cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks.

research Role of Trichoscopy in Children's Scalp and Hair Disorders

43 citations , August 2013 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of trichoscopy in diagnosing and managing pediatric hair and scalp disorders and reports no new experimental findings.

research Familial Androgenetic Alopecia in Siblings with Normal Endocrinological Status

5 citations , September 2011 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This case report describes androgenetic alopecia in two young siblings, highlighting its occurrence in children and suggesting a possible familial pattern given their mother's similar condition.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Insulin Resistance: Are They Truly Associated?

35 citations , March 2011 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study concluded that patients with metabolic syndrome, regardless of androgenetic alopecia presence, were more insulin resistant than those with only androgenetic alopecia or healthy controls, indicating no true association between alopecia and insulin resistance.

Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in Men: A Community-Based Survey