Ruxolitinib 1.5% Topical Cream for the Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata

This study reports on a 5-year-old female with severe pediatric alopecia areata (AA) who was treated with ruxolitinib 1.5% topical cream, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. Initially, the patient had patchy scalp hair loss despite previous treatment with clobetasol. After starting ruxolitinib, the patient showed significant hair regrowth over 12 months, with most alopecic lesions resolving except for a persistent lesion on the left frontal hairline, which eventually resolved. The treatment was well-tolerated with no adverse effects. However, after discontinuing ruxolitinib, new lesions appeared, indicating the need for ongoing treatment to maintain hair regrowth. This case suggests that topical ruxolitinib may be an effective and safe treatment option for pediatric AA, although further studies are needed.