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Assessing hair shedding in children
P Rampini1, M Guarrera, E Rampini
1Section of Dermatology, DISEM, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 1999
Summary
The wash test reliably assesses hair shedding in children, establishing a normal range and indicating potential early signs of hair loss with age. This method is crucial for monitoring pediatric hair health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Trichology
Background:
- The wash test is a common method for assessing hair shedding.
- Current limitations include a lack of established normal values and proven reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a normal range for hair shedding using the wash test in children.
- To validate the reliability of the wash test for pediatric hair shedding assessment.
Main Methods:
- A standardized wash test was performed on 31 children aged 3-11 years.
- Statistical analysis, including the chi(2) test, was used to validate the method.
Main Results:
- The average hair shedding was 10.68 +/- 3.91 hairs, considered normal for the studied age group.
- The chi(2) test confirmed the method's validity.
- Hair shedding increased with age in the pediatric subjects.
Conclusions:
- The wash test is a reliable tool for monitoring hair shedding in children.
- The observed age-related increase in shedding may indicate a prepubertal onset of androgenetic alopecia.