Clinical And Trichoscopic Features Of Early Congenital Syphilis: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

February 2026 in “ Frontiers in Medicine ”

Cuauhtli Emmanuel Arambul-Carrillo, Luis Enrique Sánchez-Dueñas, Rocío Concepción Albores-Arguijo, Yocelin Nallely Lozano-Figueroa, María Guadalupe Castro-Mosqueda, Jessica Aranda-Mendoza

trichoscopy hair shaft abnormalities congenital syphilis pediatric dermatology

Studysummary This study reported that trichoscopy can identify specific hair shaft abnormalities linked to increased serological activity, highlighting its use as a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool in pediatric dermatology for neonates with ECS. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study highlights the utility of trichoscopy in identifying specific hair shaft abnormalities linked to increased serological activity in neonates with early congenital syphilis (ECS). This suggests that trichoscopy can serve as a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic tool in pediatric dermatology for assessing ECS in newborns.

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Research cited in this study

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research Comparative Study of Trichoscopic Features of Alopecia Areata Between Adults and Children and Between Different Body Parts (Scalp, Beard, Eyebrow, and Moustache)

2 citations , July 2024 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that adults with alopecia areata exhibited trichoscopic features of empty follicular openings and tulip hair, while children showed more honeycomb pigment patterns and pohlpinkus constriction on their scalp lesions.

research Trichoscopic Features of Syphilitic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata: A Comparative Study

1 citations , August 2023 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This study found that exclamation mark hairs are the only trichoscopic feature that can differentiate clinically suspicious SA from AA.

research Epidemiological, Clinical, and Trichoscopic Features of Syphilitic Alopecia: A Retrospective Analysis and Systematic Review

4 citations , May 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

The authors concluded that trichoscopic examination can be useful for diagnosing syphilitic alopecia in patients with idiopathic alopecia, though the findings are nonspecific and further studies are needed.

research Update on Trichoscopy: Integration of Terminology by Systematic Approach and Proposal of a Diagnostic Flowchart

8 citations , November 2021 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This review addresses the complexities in trichoscopy terminology and proposes an updated diagnostic flowchart for hair diseases, but it reports no new clinical findings.

research A Neonate With Unexplained Hair Loss

1 citations , May 2019 in “The Journal of Pediatrics”

The baby's hair loss was due to congenital syphilis, which was treated with penicillin.

research Utility of Trichoscopy

1 citations , January 2018 in “Indian journal of dermatopathology and diagnostic dermatology”

This review discusses the use of trichoscopy as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for various hair and scalp disorders, reporting no new clinical results.

research A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Hair Loss in Children and Adolescents

40 citations , July 2017 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

This review highlights that in children, hair loss can be attributed to diverse conditions like alopecia areata and tinea capitis, and stresses the importance of a holistic approach to diagnosis and management, including psychosocial support due to limited effective treatments.

research Syphilitic Alopecia: Case Reports and Trichoscopic Findings

29 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This case study highlights the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis for hair loss, as patients with the infection may present with non-typical alopecia patterns.

research Hair and Scalp Manifestations in Secondary Syphilis: Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Trichoscopy

45 citations , January 2015 in “Dermatology”

In this study, 41.6% of patients with secondary syphilis exhibited syphilitic alopecia, with the 'moth-eaten' pattern most commonly observed through trichoscopy.

research Trichoscopy in Genetic Hair Shaft Abnormalities

74 citations , July 2008 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports”

This study found that trichoscopy can diagnose genetic hair shaft abnormalities without plucking or cutting hair, by visualizing characteristic features in a single session.

research Early Diffuse Alopecia in a Neonate with Congenital Syphilis

7 citations , November 2006 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This article describes the first reported case of alopecia in a neonate with congenital syphilis.

research Scalp Hair Characteristics in the Newborn Infant

46 citations , December 2003 in “Advances in neonatal care”

This article reviews fetal scalp hair formation and related disorders but reports no new research results.