Aromatase inhibitor-induced hair loss in two adolescents

Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Minoxidil in Children: A Systematic Review

The minimal adverse-effect profile and positive clinical response of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) have recently caused the drug to gain popularity for the treatment of hair disorders in adults. However, in the pediatric population, hesitancy still surrounds the use of oral minoxidil given the wide profile of potential side effects the drug offers. This review aims to characterize the safety and use of oral minoxidil in children for the treatment of all disorders to equip physicians with ample knowledge when prescribing oral minoxidil in the pediatric population. A total of 41 studies (19 case reports, 10 cohort studies, 7 retrospective chart reviews, and 5 case series) that reported data on 442 pediatric patients for whom oral minoxidil was used for treatment were included. Conditions for which treatment with minoxidil was described were hair disorders (83.9%, 371/442) and hypertension (11.3%, 50/442); accidental usage (4.8%, 21/442) was also noted in the literature and included in this review. This review is broken down by dosage and describes the safety and efficacy of oral minoxidil in pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years old for the treatment of hair disorders. This review found that LDOM may represent a safe option for the treatment of hair disorders in children. This study also suggests moderate and high doses of oral minoxidil may not be safe for use in children. Additional studies are needed to further understand this drug's efficacy and safety in children.

Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of female pattern hair loss among secondary school girls: A cross-sectional study

AIM

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common condition that is influenced by many external and internal factors. We aimed to identify the prevalence of FPHL among secondary school girls and identify possible associated factors.

METHODS

FPHL among 3405 adolescent females was identified using detailed history, physical examination, and dermoscopy in this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

Among the 3405 included students, 2430 (71.4%) had no FPHL and 975 (28.6%) were diagnosed with FPHL (p = 0.001). The mean age of girls with FPHL was 16.43 ± 1.10 and ranged between 15 and 18 years. Among those with FPHL, 427 (43.8%) attended urban schools while 548 (56.2%) attended rural schools. No significant differences regarding paternal and maternal education, family income, or parental degree of education were observed among those with FPHL and those without (p = 0.230; p = 0.063; p = 0.276, respectively).

CONCLUSION

FPHL had an overall prevalence of 28.6% among secondary school girls with a significant predominance in rural over urban areas and with a significantly associated family history. Irregular menses, history of thyroid disease, and hirsutism were significant predictors for FPHL.