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Published on: January 27, 2018
Common causes of paediatric alopecia
William Cranwell1, Rodney Sinclair2
1MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), MPH&TM, Clinical Research Fellow, Sinclair Dermatology, East Melbourne, Vic
Insights
Pediatric hair loss in children under 12 is usually temporary. This review covers common causes of childhood alopecia and guides general practitioners on assessment and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- General Practice
Background:
- Hair loss in children under 12 years is typically benign and self-limiting.
- This review focuses on assessing common causes of pediatric alopecia.
- It also outlines implications for general practice management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess children with alopecia.
- To manage common pediatric alopecia conditions.
- To identify patients needing specialist dermatological referral.
Main Methods:
- Review of common pediatric alopecia causes.
- Guidance on assessment and management for general practitioners.
- Criteria for referral to a dermatologist.
Main Results:
- Common pediatric alopecia causes include tinea capitis, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, and telogen effluvium.
- Most pediatric alopecia cases are non-scarring.
- Scarring alopecia requires scalp biopsy and specialist care.
Conclusions:
- General practitioners can manage straightforward tinea capitis cases.
- Referral to a dermatologist is indicated for uncertain diagnoses, treatment failures, or scarring alopecia.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are key for pediatric hair loss.
Background:
Hair loss in children aged 12 years and younger is most often due to a benign or self-limiting condition. This article presents a review of the assessment of common causes of paediatric alopecia and outlines the implications for general practice.
Objective:
The objective of this article is to help readers systematically assess a child presenting with alopecia, manage the most common diseases of paediatric alopecia and identify patients requiring referral to a dermatologist.
Discussion:
The most common causes of paediatric alopecia are largely non-scarring. These include tinea capitis, alopecia areata, trauma due to traction alopecia or trichotillomania, and telogen effluvium. Scarring alopecia can also occur in childhood and requires scalp biopsy and further investigation by a dermatologist. General practitioners should treat clear cases of tinea capitis. Referral to a dermatologist is necessary in cases when the diagnosis is uncertain, treatment is failing or there is evidence of scarring alopecia.
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