Epidemiological and Trichoscopic Study of Patchy Scalp Alopecia in Children in Delta Egypt

Abstract Background Alopecia represents a distressing problem among children and has a severe psychological impact on the affected patients and their parents. Objective To investigate the clinical presentations of patchy hair loss and analysis of their prevalence and trichoscope features in children in delta Egypt. Methods The study was done on 374 patients aged from 0-18 years (231 males, 143 females) with patchy hair loss who were subjected to detailed history taking, dermatological examination as regard the patch of alopecia, scalp skin, nails, teeth, in addition to trichoscopic examination. The obtained demographic and clinical data of the included patients were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results Mean age 7.77 years, 231 (61.8%) male patients and 143 (38.2%) female patients. Hair loss in children in this study is largely non-cicatricial causes; specifically alopecia areata, followed by infectious causes; specifically scaly tinea capitits (141 patients). The total number of patients having non-infectious alopecia was 206 patients. Alopecia areata was present in 147 patients (39.3%), toxic alopecia (post folliculitis) (12.6%), trichotillomania (2.1%), and congenital alopecia. Male preponderance in cicatricial alopecia, toxic alopecia (post folliculitis) and infectious disease groups versus female preponderance in non-cicatricial alopecia, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, patchy traction alopecia. The age groups with the largest numbers of children were those school age children aged five to ten years representing (50.5%). Alopecia presented from rural areas represents (72.5%). Trichoscope examination have confirmed the dermatologic clinical diagnosis of patchy alopecia in 368 patients. Conclusion The largest number of children presenting with patchy alopecia in Delta Egypt were those of school age children aged five to ten years, living in rural areas. Hair loss in children is largely due to alopecia areata followed by tinea capitits. Detection of specific trichoscopic features of each disease is mandatory for the accurate diagnosis and proper differentiation of -sometimes- confusing cases of hair and scalp disorders.