A Retrospective Study on Alopecia Areata in Children: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Choices

January 2021 in “ Skin appendage disorders ”

Christina Stefanaki, George Kontochristopoulos, Eleni Hatzidimitraki, Aravella Stergiopoulou, Αλεξάνδρα Κατσαρού, Vasiliki Vosynioti, Eleni Remountaki, Dimitrios Rigopoulos

alopecia areata topical steroids intralesional steroids scalp patches hair regrowth relapse

TLDR Alopecia areata in children is usually mild and effectively treated with strong topical steroids.

The retrospective study on alopecia areata in children at Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital analyzed 364 pediatric cases over 12 years, finding that 90.7% presented with scalp patches. Topical steroids were the most common treatment (69.1%), with 84.3% showing hair regrowth at 3 months, particularly with potent topical and intralesional steroids. Hair regrowth was significantly correlated with treatment type (p = 0.003), though relapse was high (67%) with no clear predictors. The study concluded that AA in children is typically mild, with potent topical steroids being the primary treatment, but noted limitations due to its retrospective nature and limited follow-up data.

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