“…Triangular alopecia is a congenital cause of localized hypotrichosis. Its reported incidence is 0.11%, although this has more recently been described as an underestimation since many do not seek care or are misdiagnosed [16,17]. As the name suggests, triangular alopecia presents with hair loss in a classic triangle or spear-shaped patch, most commonly in the frontotemporal region (Fig.…”
Purpose of review
The current review will address the different causes of localized hair loss in infancy. The data presented here will provide clinicians with the latest understanding of different disorders leading to localized hair loss and will provide recommendations for further management of infants who present with alopecia.
Recent findings
Localized hair loss in infancy is common, but its underlying causes vary greatly. Alopecia in infants can be categorized into congenital, genetic, inflammatory, mechanical, and physiologic causes. Decisions regarding further management are complex, as they often involve not only cosmetic concerns, but also work-up of possible systemic medical issues related to hair loss.
Summary
Clinicians must be able to distinguish between the different causes of infantile hair loss so that appropriate work-up and further management can be pursued. Factors such as physical appearance, timing of presentation, dermoscopic exam, histopathology, and associated systemic features can help lead clinicians to the correct diagnosis in the case of an infant with localized alopecia.
“…Triangular alopecia is a congenital cause of localized hypotrichosis. Its reported incidence is 0.11%, although this has more recently been described as an underestimation since many do not seek care or are misdiagnosed [16,17]. As the name suggests, triangular alopecia presents with hair loss in a classic triangle or spear-shaped patch, most commonly in the frontotemporal region (Fig.…”
Purpose of review
The current review will address the different causes of localized hair loss in infancy. The data presented here will provide clinicians with the latest understanding of different disorders leading to localized hair loss and will provide recommendations for further management of infants who present with alopecia.
Recent findings
Localized hair loss in infancy is common, but its underlying causes vary greatly. Alopecia in infants can be categorized into congenital, genetic, inflammatory, mechanical, and physiologic causes. Decisions regarding further management are complex, as they often involve not only cosmetic concerns, but also work-up of possible systemic medical issues related to hair loss.
Summary
Clinicians must be able to distinguish between the different causes of infantile hair loss so that appropriate work-up and further management can be pursued. Factors such as physical appearance, timing of presentation, dermoscopic exam, histopathology, and associated systemic features can help lead clinicians to the correct diagnosis in the case of an infant with localized alopecia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.