FC-09   ALOPECIA AREATA OF CHILDREN IN KOREA (1991-2002)

BI Ro. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea.

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and psychosocial dynamics of children with alopecia areata from January, 1991 to December, 2002. Among 1762 new alopecia areata patients 283 (16.1%) were children under 15-year-old with alopecia areata (alopecia areata; 202 patients, alopecia totalis; 51 patients, alopecia universalis; 18 patients, and trichotillomania; 12 patients). Results were as follows: 1) The most common type of alopecia in children was alopecia areata (202 patients, 71.4%). 2) 147 patients (55.9%) were primary school students. 3) The previous episodes of alopecia were observed in 45 patients (15.9%), and family history was observed in 23 patients (8.1%). 4) Atopic dermatitis was the most common associated diseases (55.0%). 5) The eldest sibling or the children with stressful condition due to school task and extracurricular works had high morbidities (47.3%, 22.0%, respectively). 6) On the neuropsychiatric consultation, neurotic children and adjustment disorders were the most common problems among them. These results suggest that alopecia areata in children were predominantly developed in primary school students, the eldest sibling, and children with atopic dermatitis. Psychologic stress is an important factor in the development of the disease or may contribute as an aggravating factor.