The Role of Micronutrients and Thyroid Function Tests in Pediatric Hair Loss

Authors : Mukaddes Kılıç Sağlam, Emine Yanaşoğlu

Pages : 312-318

Doi:10.26453/otjhs.1742633

View : 81 | Download : 99

Publication Date : 2025-09-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Hair loss is a common complaint among pediatric patients. This study aims to evaluate the potential associations between serum concentrations of ferritin, hemoglobin, iron, folate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), zinc, and vitamin B12 in pediatric patients presenting with diffuse, non-scarring alopecia. Materials and Methods: In this study, 75 children aged between 6 and 18 years who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic with diffuse, non-scarring hair loss were included, along with 75 age and sex matched healthy children without hair loss who presented for routine check-ups as the control group. Children with a history of systemic disease, medication use, or dietary supplement use were excluded from both groups. The serum levels of the relevant parameters were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Children with hair loss had lower mean levels of zinc, folate, iron, vitamin B12, and TSH compared to the control group; however, only the decreases in zinc and folate levels were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Furthermore, when compared in terms of micronutrient deficiencies, only the folate level was significantly lower in the group with hair loss (p=0.016). Conclusions: Our study is one of the first to suggest a potential role of folate deficiency in pediatric hair loss. In addition, micronutrient deficiencies were common in both groups. Therefore, we recommend that serum micronutrient levels, including folate, be assessed in children presenting with hair loss.
Keywords : Alopesi, çocuk, folat, saç dökülmesi, mikrobesin

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL