A Systematic Literature Review of Alopecia Areata in Children and Adolescents: Psychosocial Impact

This systematic literature review investigates the psychosocial impact of alopecia areata (AA) in children and adolescents, analyzing data from 1,576 participants across 24 observational studies. It reveals that AA significantly negatively affects self-esteem, relationships, and academic performance in young patients, while also imposing a psychosocial burden on parents and caregivers. The review suggests that addressing both psychological and dermatological aspects, such as early psychosocial screening and psychotherapy referrals, may help mitigate these impacts. It also calls for comparative studies between pediatric and adult AA patients to understand age-specific characteristics better. Limitations include small sample sizes and the use of unvalidated assessment tools.