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An international multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 203 patients with pediatric androgenetic alopecia
Tyan Shin Lee1, Mara O'Connor2, Leslie Castelo-Soccio3
1Division of Dermatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
Pediatric androgenetic alopecia (AGA) can occur before puberty, with obesity and family history as potential risk factors. Topical minoxidil is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for pediatric AGA.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is increasingly prevalent in pediatric populations, yet published data remains limited.
- AGA is a nonscarring alopecia affecting children and adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a multicenter review of pediatric patients diagnosed with AGA.
- To analyze clinical presentation, comorbidities, and treatment strategies for pediatric AGA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients under 18 years old with AGA.
- Data extraction included clinical presentation, comorbidities, and treatments received.
Main Results:
- 203 pediatric patients with AGA were analyzed; mean age at diagnosis was 14.5 years.
- Prepubertal onset was noted in 17 patients, predominantly female.
- Obesity and overweight were present in 24.1% and 24.8% of patients, respectively.
- Topical minoxidil was the most common treatment (76.5%), with rare side effects.
Conclusions:
- Androgenetic alopecia can manifest in prepubertal children.
- Obesity and family history are potential risk factors for pediatric AGA.
- Minoxidil demonstrates clinical benefit and good tolerability in pediatric patients.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to validate findings and explore treatment options.
Background:
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a nonscarring alopecia with increasing prevalence in pediatric populations. Published data in pediatrics are limited.
Objective:
To perform a multicenter review of pediatric patients with AGA to study clinical presentation, comorbidities, and treatment recommendations.
Methods:
A retrospective review of patients presenting with AGA at age <18 years with adequate documentation for data extraction.
Results:
In total, 203 patients were included. The mean age of AGA onset was 12.9 ± 2.7 years, and at diagnosis was 14.5 ± 2.1 years. Prepubertal onset occurred in 17 patients, 70.6% female. The majority had a family history of AGA. Of 145 patients with anthropometric data, 24.1% were obese (>95th percentile) and 24.8% overweight (85-95th percentile). Treatments at diagnosis included topical minoxidil in 76.5% and systemic minoxidil in 2.9%, spironolactone in 5.7% of females, and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in 1.7% of males. Side effects were rare.
Limitations:
Data were limited to recorded information.
Conclusion:
AGA can occur in prepubertal patients. Potential risk factors for pediatric AGA include obesity and family history. Minoxidil has clinical benefit and is well tolerated in this population. Further prospective studies are recommended to confirm these findings and gather more evidence for treatments.
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