TLDR Monthly oral corticosteroid pulses effectively treat widespread alopecia areata in young patients.
The study involved 16 young patients with widespread alopecia areata (AA), divided into two age groups, who received monthly oral corticosteroid pulses. Group A (12-18 years) received 300 mg of prednisolone, while Group B (3-11 years) received betamethasone sodium phosphate equivalent to 5 mg/kg prednisolone. After a minimum of three doses, 60% of the patients showed excellent hair growth at 6 months. Four patients experienced localized relapse during follow-up, but side effects were minimal. The study recommended pulsed prednisolone as an effective treatment for widespread AA in young patients.
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