Korean J Dermatol.
2013 Jul;51(7):501-506.
Clinical Study of Alopecia Areata in Children during the Five Years (2007~2012)
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea. trpchk@hanmail.net
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring, autoimmune, inflammatory hair loss on the scalp and/or body. This disease affects both adults and children but there are limited data on AA in children than AA in adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics, disease associations and psychosomatic dynamics of pediatric AA for the past 5 years.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed on 120 out-patients under 14 years old who are diagnosed as alopecia areata in the department of dermatology from March, 2007 to February, 2012.
RESULTS
The proportion of pediatric group in total alopecia areata was 20.2% (120/595). According to clinical records, the alopecia areata were of 111 patients (79.9%) followed by those with alopecia universalis (4 patients; 2.8%) and alopecia totalis (5 patients; 3.6%). The ratio of males (57 patients; 47.5%) to females (63 patients; 52.5%) was 1 : 1.11. Alopecia areata was seen most frequently in the school age group (69 patients; 57.5%) and the duration period was less than one year in most cases (79.2%). Family history of alopecia areata was observed in 10.8% (13/120). The only child or eldest child being overloaded with homework and has deficient parent-child relationships including familial discord was accounted as the most susceptible group. A multiple bald patch was 51.4% in alopecia areata and the most common associated disease was atopic dermatitis (26 patients; 21.7%).
CONCLUSION
We observed several clinical features of the pediatric AA, including epidemiology, clinical characteristics and disease associations. This study provided useful data for future research regarding AA in children.
