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The Epidemiology of Childhood Alopecia Areata in China: A Study of 226 Patients
Author(s) -
Xiao FengLi,
Yang Sen,
Liu JiangBo,
He PingPing,
Yang Jie,
Cui Yong,
Yan KaiLin,
Gao Min,
Liang YanHua,
Zhang XueJun
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2006.00161.x
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , medicine , epidemiology , family history , pediatrics , proband , disease , age of onset , dermatology , biochemistry , chemistry , mutation , gene
To study the clinical and epidemiologic profile of childhood alopecia areata, we performed a survey in which a total of 226 childhood patients less than 16 years old were enrolled. Statistical analysis and heritability were performed using EPI INFO 6.0, SPSS10.0, and the Falconer method. The median age of onset was 10 years. The majority of patients (84.96%) presented with limited alopecia. The male : female ratio was 1.4:1. Boys appeared to have more severe involvement. The earlier the age of onset, the greater the severity of the disease. Sixty‐seven patients (29.65%) had previous episodes of alopecia areata. Greater severity and longer duration were seen in the relapsing patients than in the primary patients. Six patients (2.65%) had an associated disease. A positive family history was reported in 25 patients (11.06%). The prevalence figures for alopecia areata in first‐, second‐, and third‐degree relatives of the probands were 2.87%, 0.40%, and 0.13%, respectively. The heritabilities of AA in first‐, second‐, and third‐degree relatives were 51.20%, 46.25%, and 25.65%, respectively. It can be speculated that the effect of genetic factors is important in the occurrence of this disease.