LAUSR

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a well-known cause of hair loss in adults; however, it is an underrecognized cause of hair loss in children and adolescents. Our objective is to review the existing literature regarding androgenetic alopecia in the pediatric/adolescent population. METHODS PubMed searches were performed to identify all articles discussing AGA in a pediatric and/or adolescent population published up to December 2018. RESULTS A total of 7 articles were identified discussing androgenetic alopecia in patients under the age of 18. One of these articles was a review containing data from 3 conference abstracts, which were also included in the analysis. A total of 655 cases of androgenetic alopecia were found. CONCLUSION AGA in the pediatric population is not uncommon, but its incidence and prevalence are unknown. It is associated with a strong family history of AGA. It can typically be diagnosed clinically by physical exam and trichoscopy. Topical minoxidil, though not approved, has been used with success. Other treatment modalities are poorly studied in children.