Korean J Dermatol.  2009 Feb;47(2):127-131.

A Clinical Study of Prevalence of Telogen Effluvium after Childbirth

• Seo HD
• Chung BS
• Choi KC
• Shin BS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Telogen effluvium (TE) is a form of nonscarring alopecia, characterized by diffuse scalp hair thinning in response to some form of physiologic stress. It is commonly described in women subsequent to childbirth.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TE after childbirth.
METHODS
Medical records from January 2006 to June 2007 of 240 postpartum patients from our obstetric department were reviewed. Telephone interviews with TE patients were conducted to investigate the initial occurrence time, restoration time, and treatment history.
RESULTS
Prevalence of TE according to parity is higher in multiparas than primiparas (p=0.026). In addition, the prevalence of TE after a cesarean section delivery is higher than that after non-surgical delivery (p=0.014). Prevalence of TE with respect to weight gain is higher in the groups displaying agreater increase in weight (p=0.014). Finally, prevalence of TE according to gestational age is higher in groups giving birth after 38 weeks gestational age (p=0.015).
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of telogen effluvium may be associated with multiparity, cesarean section, marked weight gain, and high gestational age.

Keyword

Childbirth; Telogen effluvium

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Cesarean Section
Female
Gestational Age
Hair
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Medical Records
Parity
Parturition
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Scalp
Weight Gain