title: The Postpartum Telogen Effluvium Fallacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postpartum telogen effluvium (PPTE) is a commonly described entity, but few studies deal with the real incidence and pathogenesis of this claimed common disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the objective data published and to define the real incidence of the so-called PPTE.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of the published data was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant data were found in any of the papers reviewed, which could support the conclusion that the amount of hair shedding between pregnant and postpartum women is different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PPTE is not a well-defined entity, and the exact incidence is unknown. From our literature review, we could state that the frequency of PPTE is so low and undefined that we dare say that PPTE does not exist.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mirallas
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grimalt
keywords: Hair loss; Hormones; Lactation; Postpartum telogen effluvium; Pregnancy