Hair loss. Common congenital and acquired causes

Different trichoscopic features of tinea capitis and alopecia areata in pediatric patients

Background. Diagnosis of patchy hair loss in pediatric patients is often a matter of considerable debate among dermatologists. Trichoscopy is a rapid and noninvasive tool to detect more details of patchy hair loss. Like clinical dermatology, trichoscopy works parallel to the skin surface and perpendicular to the histological plane; like the histopathology, it thus allows the viewing of structures not discovered by the naked eye. Objective. Aiming to compare the different trichoscopic features of tinea capitis and alopecia areata in pediatric patients. Patients and Methods. This study included 40 patients, 20 patients with tinea capitis and 20 patients with alopecia areata. They were exposed toclinical examination, laboratory investigations (10% KOH and fungal culture), and trichoscope examination. Results. Our obtained results reported that, in tinea capitis patients, comma shaped hairs, corkscrew hairs, and zigzag shaped hairs are the diagnostic trichoscopic features of tinea capitis. While in alopecia areata patients, the most trichoscopic specific features were yellow dots, exclamation mark, and short vellus hairs. Conclusion. Trichoscopy can be used as a noninvasive tool for rapid diagnosis of tinea capitis and alopecia areata in pediatric patients.

Hair loss in children and adolescents

No other body system is more exposed to the public eye than the skin and the hair. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) frequently encounter patients in their practice settings with the complaint of "hair loss." The most often diagnosed causes of hair loss include tinea capitis, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and trichotillomania. This article defines these conditions, explores the causes for them, and describes the incidences. Emphasis is placed on the PNP's role on making a differential diagnosis based on the presenting clinical manifestations, patient history, and laboratory testing. Treatment for these conditions as well as nursing goals and PNP interventions for management and family education also are discussed.

Alopecia after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Severe diffuse hair loss in a young woman after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis prompted a review of the incidence and cause of this complication. Nine (38 percent) of 24 patients undergoing the ileoanal pouch procedure developed hair loss. Clinically apparent hair loss is more likely in females. The cause is probably multifactorial and is unlikely to be related to specific nutritional deficiencies in patients maintaining oral intake of nutrients. Hair loss in the perioperative period is transient and hair growth returns to normal as the patient recovers. Awareness of this problem is important and reassurance of the concerned patient is the appropriate management.