Clinico-epidemiological profile of childhood alopecia areata along with dermoscopic correlation: A cross-section, observational study

Abstract

Background: Childhood alopecia areata (AA) is a common cause of dermatologic consultation; however, data is scarce in the present set-up. Objectives: To evaluate the clinico-epidemiological profile of childhood AA along with dermoscopic correlation. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 50 new cases of childhood AA for 1 year. Dermoscopy was performed in each child and findings recorded. Results: Childhood AA was more common in girls (M: F 1:1.4), mean age being 11.1 ± 3.7 years. Scalp was commonest site of involvement in 86% cases, while 32 (64%) children had mild disease (thinning), while systemic associations like vitiligo and thyroid dysfunction were present in 26% and 24% cases, respectively. Dermoscopy revealed yellow-dots to be the commonest finding in 44 (88%) cases, followed by short vellus hair and black dots in 76% and 28% children, respectively, while exclamation-mark hair was rare. Conclusion: Female gender, younger age, nail involvement, and presence of concomitant atopy, vitiligo, and thyroid dysfunction were associated with severe disease, but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Regression model failed to detect any risk factors for severe AA. Dermoscopy is an important non-invasive tool for evaluating childhood AA.

Keywords

• alopecia areata
• atopy
• childhood
• dermoscopy