Safety and Use of Oral Minoxidil in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

August 2025 in “ Archives of Dermatological Research ”

OmarYousef Al-Assaf, Layan M. Almutairi, Albatul Majdi Tumbukani, Razan S. Alhumaidi, Abdulkarim M. Alawdah, Shriefa Al-Mutairi, Salman B. Albadr, Khalid S Aljabri, Joud A. Alyousef, Hanin J. Mobarki, Renad Almutairi, Rose Khalid Aljuaid, Osama Alsharif

oral minoxidil hair disorders refractory hypertension adverse events hair density stabilization of hair loss randomized controlled trials OM

TLDR Oral minoxidil may help with pediatric hair disorders but has notable side effects.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the safety and efficacy of oral minoxidil (OM) in 364 pediatric patients with hair disorders and refractory hypertension. Adverse events were reported in 25.2% of patients with hair disorders and 26.1% with hypertension, highlighting a notable risk of side effects. Despite this, 59.5% of patients experienced improved hair density, and 24.3% had stabilization of hair loss. The study suggests that OM may be a safer and more effective treatment for pediatric hair disorders, but recommends further large-scale, randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosing.

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