title: Congenital alopecia areata.
abstract: Alopecia areata, the alleged autoimmune process leading to nonscarring hair loss, is not uncommon. It has been classified as an acquired cause of alopecia; however, recently it has been reported in the neonatal period. We report 4 cases of congenital alopecia areata with follow-up from 3 to 5 years. The diagnosis was made clinically in all cases. All patients had prolonged periods of quiescence of hair loss ranging from 6 to 24 months. Treatments used included minoxidil 2% and a range of topical steroids including hydrocortisone 1%, betamethasone valerate 0.05%, fluocinonide 0.05%, and clobetasol propionate 0.05%. The best regrowth observed resulted from the use of clobetasol propionate 0.05%, giving full regrowth in 50% of those treated. Alopecia areata can occur at all ages and, thus, can be classified as both an acquired and a congenital disorder resulting in hair loss.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Patsy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lenane
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krafchik
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000151:congenital* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005138:Eyebrows; D005140:Eyelashes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids