This study examined nail involvement in 91 children with treatment-resistant alopecia areata (AA), aged 3.5–14 years. It found that 69.2% of these children had nail involvement, with pitting being the most common feature (74.6%). Nail involvement was significantly associated with longer disease duration (p=0.049) but not with the severity of scalp hair loss (p>0.05). Additionally, children without a family history of AA experienced more severe disease and a higher incidence of alopecia totalis or universalis (p<0.05). The findings suggest that nail-matrix autoimmune activity may progress independently of scalp severity in refractory pediatric AA cases.
In a study of 91 children with treatment-resistant alopecia areata (AA), 69.2% exhibited nail involvement, primarily pitting. This nail involvement was significantly associated with longer disease duration but not with the severity of scalp hair loss. The findings suggest that nail-matrix autoimmune activity may progress independently of scalp severity. Additionally, children without a family history of AA experienced more severe disease and a higher incidence of alopecia totalis or universalis.
July 2026 in “Skin Appendage Disorders” The study reviewed records of 91 children with treatment-resistant alopecia areata (AA) and found that 69.2% had nail involvement, with pitting being the most common finding. Nail involvement was significantly associated with longer disease duration but not with disease severity. Children without a family history of AA had more severe disease. The findings suggest that nail-matrix autoimmune activity may follow a partially independent course from scalp severity in refractory pediatric AA.
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