Risk Factors for Pediatric Alopecia Areata: Clinical and Biochemical Findings from a Case – Control Study

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated, non-scarring hair loss disorder that can begin in childhood. Data on comorbidities and biochemical risk factors in pediatric AA remain limited. OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical comorbidities and biochemical parameters in pediatric patients with AA versus healthy controls. METHODS: This retrospective, matched case-control study included 200 pediatric AA patients and 400 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical characteristics and comorbidities were obtained from patient records. Hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were analyzed. Independent predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Vitiligo (3.5% vs. 0.5%; P=0.008), allergic asthma (9.5% vs. 3.8%; P=0.007), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (3.5% vs. 0.5%; P=0.008) were significantly more frequent in the AA group, whereas atopic dermatitis was more common but not statistically significant. Hemoglobin levels were comparable. Serum vitamin B12 [233.5 (192.7-270.0) vs. 356.7 (318.7-396.8) pg/mL; P