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

TLDR Androgenetic alopecia in teens is linked to obesity and other metabolic risks, needing early diagnosis and management.

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

16 / 16 results

research Association of Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Metabolic Syndrome

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

Early-onset hair loss in young males is linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome.

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Early diagnosis and treatment, like topical minoxidil, can prevent hair loss in children.

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

AGA in children needs careful diagnosis due to low androgen levels and possible other causes.

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”

AGA risk factors include age, smoking, hypertension for men, and age, dyslipidemia for women; lifestyle changes may help prevention.

research Alopecia and the Metabolic Syndrome

30 citations, September 2017 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Men with common hair loss may have a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, and should be checked for these conditions.

research Androgenic Alopecia: An Entity to Consider in Adolescence

6 citations, July 2017 in “Case Reports”

Hair loss, known as androgenic alopecia, can start in teenage years and may not always be hormone-related. It's important to do extra tests in young cases and remember it can greatly affect a teenager's mental health.

research Metabolic Syndrome in Androgenic Alopecia

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

Metabolic syndrome is more common in people with early-onset androgenic alopecia.

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

People with alopecia are at higher risk for heart disease and have more heart-related risk factors.

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

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

Hair loss linked to metabolic issues and insulin resistance; early assessment may reduce future health risks.

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

43 citations, August 2013 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Trichoscopy is good for diagnosing and monitoring hair and scalp problems in children but needs more research for certain conditions.

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5 citations, September 2011 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Two young siblings experienced hair loss without hormone issues or other skin problems.

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

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

No true link between AGA and insulin resistance, but coexistence may worsen AGA.

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69 citations, April 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Balding men, especially young ones, may have higher risk of heart issues and diabetes; check cholesterol levels.

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53 citations, March 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia common in teens, may indicate endocrine issue, minoxidil effective treatment.

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35 citations, October 2006 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Teen hair loss common in boys, linked to family history and mild symptoms.

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72 citations, March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

AGA can occur in children with family history; early diagnosis and treatment important.

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