Hair Loss In Infant, Baby And Children

The primary cause for hair loss is aging, hormonal changes and a family history of being bald. Usually, the earlier the loss of hair starts, the more severe the extent of baldness is. It can also be a result of trauma, prior surgeries, burns or other thermal injuries.

It is only natural for parents to get alarmed when they find that their baby is losing hair at an unnatural rate. Babies tend to lose some or almost all the hair in the first six months of their life, which is a completely normal process. In most of the cases, the hair gets replaced but it may not be of the same color or texture as before.

Here are some of the ailments that might cause hair loss in infants and children:

Cradle cap: In the case of infants, one common condition that may cause loss of hair is cradle cap. Cradle cap usually affects infants who are between the ages of two to six months. It causes a crusty and scaling rash on the scalp. It often clears up within a few months even when left untreated. However, if it is a severe case, then itching and hair loss can happen not only on the scalp but on the body as well.

Congenital Atrichia: In this case, a child may be born with normal hair but when the child enters the initial resting period, the hair falls out and the hair growth completely stops. Certain cells in the scalp must stay close together for proper hair growth but here these cells get disengaged and hair growth cycle stops.

Triangular Alopecia: This type of hair loss is permanent but not progressive. The hair loss is usually in triangular shape and this may be present right from the birth or just after.

Loose Anagen Syndrome: This type of hair loss usually affects a girl child with light hair. The hairs are so fine that they can be easily pulled out. This is because the hair lacks inner and outer root cover and has wide cuticles.

During pregnancy, the level of estrogen rises as a result of chemical reactions in the body, in order to sustain the growth of the baby as well as to strengthen the mother. So, pregnant women normally have healthy and bountiful hair. However, if a pregnant woman experiences hair loss beyond what is considered normal, then it is a cause for worry. The reasons can be as varied as hormonal imbalance or nutrient deficiency. Consulting a doctor would be the most advisable when such a condition arises.