Alopecia associated with birth injury.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia after birth-related caput succedaneum is an extremely rare complication.


METHODS
The case of a child with permanent alopecia due to birth-related caput succedaneum is presented. After delivery with vacuum extraction, caput succedaneum at the left occipitoparietal region of the neonate's head was noted, which subsided within a week, leaving a circular necrotic crust and finally a circular bald area. At age 4, the child was referred at a tertiary center for the management of alopecia. Treatment initially consisted of the expansion of the hair-bearing skin adjacent to the bald area, which was excised at a second stage and covered with the expanded skin. A pleasing esthetic result was achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
Neonatal alopecia is a rare birth-associated complication. Premature rupture of the membranes, prolonged second stage of the labor, and prolonged vacuum extraction time may be important features in the pathogenesis of this complication. In case of permanent alopecia, excellent esthetic results can be achieved with the use of reconstructive plastic surgery techniques.
Ioannina University School of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Ioannina, Greece. elykoudi@cc.uoi.gr
Efstathios G
EG
Lykoudis
Georgia-Alexandra Ch
GA
Spyropoulou
Lazaros G
LG
Lavasidis
Minas E
ME
Paschopoulos
Evangelos A
EA
Paraskevaidis
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012535:Scalp; D015626:Tissue Expansion; D014620:Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*