Ophiasis Pattern Alopecia Areata in an Infant

Alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder causing non-scarring hair loss, predominantly affects the adult population and is rarely encountered in young infants and neonates. The etiology of this condition remains multifactorial, involving complex interactions between genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors. In this report, we present a notable case of a four-month-old infant who presented with distinct band-like hair loss on the right inferior lateral forehead, left inferior lateral forehead, and superior middle forehead following a culturally significant head-shaving ritual known as Chudakarana. This unique presentation of ophiasis AA in an infant is an unusual occurrence and has been associated with a poor prognosis. The patient received topical treatment with triamcinolone 0.1% lotion, resulting in improvement of alopecia at the six-week follow-up, although complete resolution of symptoms was not achieved. This case highlights the significance of recognizing atypical presentations of AA in the pediatric population and underscores the complexities in associated cultural factors.