Trichoscopy of alopecia areata in children. A retrospective comparative analysis of 50 children and 50 adults

Abstract

Background/objectives: Trichoscopic findings characteristic of alopecia areata have been established in adults. The objective of the study was to assess trichoscopic findings in children with alopecia areata.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of trichoscopic findings in 50 children (3-11 years old) and 50 adults (19-31 years old) with alopecia areata was performed.

Results: Yellow dots were less commonly detected in children compared with adults (26/50, 52% vs 48/50, 96%). Pigtail hairs and empty follicular openings were more commonly observed in children compared with adults (14/50, 28% vs 2/50, 4% and 40/50, 80% vs 16/50, 32%, respectively). No significant difference in the frequency of other trichoscopic features between children and adults was found. Black dots, broken hairs, exclamation mark hairs, and tapered hairs were detected in 20/50 (40%), 27/50 (54%), 22/50 (44%), and 6/50 (12%) children, respectively, and in 26/50 (52%), 27/50 (54%), 20/50 (40%), and 11/50 (22%) adults, respectively. Triangular hairs (short hidden hairs), short vellus hairs, and upright regrowing hairs were observed in 22/50 (44%), 35/50 (70%), and 23/50 (46%) children, respectively, and in 24/50 (48%), 37/50 (74%), and 28/50 (56%) adults, respectively. Pohl-Pinkus constrictions were present in 2/50 (4%) children and 4/50 (8%) adults.

Conclusions: The most common trichoscopic findings of alopecia areata in children are empty follicular openings and short vellus hairs. Pigtail hairs and empty follicular openings are more commonly presented in children compared with adults. In contrast, yellow dots are less commonly observed in children compared with adults. Triangular hairs (short hidden hairs) are new trichoscopic findings of alopecia areata.

Keywords: alopecia; alopecia areata; dermatoscopy; dermoscopy; hair loss; trichoscopy.