A Successful Management of Extensive Alopecia Areata in Childhood: A Case Report

Abstract

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune condition with non-scarring form of hair loss over scalp and/or body. In India and Singapore, one-third of newly diagnosed AA cases have been reported with age less than 20 years. Therapeutic options are limited in children because of lesser tolerability and potential side-effects. Hence, it becomes a challenge to treat extensive alopecia areata in children. We report a 9-year-old girl with extensive alopecia areata who showed no improvement with standard Oral Mini Pulse (OMP) of prednisolone for one year. After starting OMP with prednisolone along with cyclosporine, she showed almost complete regrowth of scalp and body hair in a span of 6 months with no side effects. Hence, we suggest OMP and cyclosporine as a better option for severe progressing alopecia areata in recalcitrant patients.