Clinical-Epidemiological, Trichoscopic, and Light Microscopic Evaluation of Pediatric Hair and Scalp Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital.
- 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K, India.
- 2Pediatrics and Clinical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College Srinagar, J&K, India.
Abstract
Background
Pediatric hair and scalp disorders encompass a diverse array of conditions, requiring a systematic approach for accurate diagnosis. Incorporating trichoscopic and light microscopic examinations can enhance diagnostic accuracy.Objective
To evaluate the clinical-epidemiological, trichoscopic, and light microscopic features of hair and scalp disorders in the pediatric population.Methods
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving pediatric patients aged 0-12 years seeking medical attention for hair and scalp conditions. Trichoscopic and light microscopic examinations were used for diagnosis, and the agreement between these modalities was assessed with Cohen's kappa coefficient.Results
A total of 220 children were examined, with a median age of 7 years and male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1. The median duration of illness was four months, and median age at disease onset was 5.75 years. The most prevalent conditions observed were scalp infections, followed by non-infectious scaly scalp dermatosis and alopecia areata. Rare trichoscopic findings included "matchstick hair" in Netherton syndrome, trichoclasis in alopecia areata, trichoscopic features of transient neonatal hair loss, and new rare variants of tinea capitis, including alopecia areata-like, seborrheic dermatitis-like, and follicular pustular presentations. High agreement was found between trichoscopy and clinical diagnosis (Cohen's kappa=0.917) as well as between trichoscopy and light microscopy (Cohen's kappa=0.769).Conclusion
The findings underscore the significance of incorporating trichoscopy and light microscopy for diagnosing pediatric hair and scalp disorders, including rare genetic hair disorders. High agreement observed between trichoscopy, clinical diagnosis, and light microscopy emphasizes their utility as reliable noninvasive diagnostic tools in pediatric dermatology.
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BibTeX
@article{trumboo2026clinicalepidemiological,
title = {{Clinical-Epidemiological, Trichoscopic, and Light Microscopic Evaluation of Pediatric Hair and Scalp Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital.}},
author = {Taiba Trumboo and Yasmeen Jabeen Bhat and Obeid Shafi and Shafat Ahmad Tak and Saika Reyaz and Iffat Hassan Shah},
journal = {Dermatology practical \& conceptual},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.5826/dpc.1603a6679},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858407},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical-Epidemiological, Trichoscopic, and Light Microscopic Evaluation of Pediatric Hair and Scalp Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital.
AU - Taiba Trumboo
AU - Yasmeen Jabeen Bhat
AU - Obeid Shafi
AU - Shafat Ahmad Tak
AU - Saika Reyaz
AU - Iffat Hassan Shah
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/31
JO - Dermatology practical & conceptual
DO - 10.5826/dpc.1603a6679
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858407
AB - Background Pediatric hair and scalp disorders encompass a diverse array of conditions, requiring a systematic approach for accurate diagnosis. Incorporating trichoscopic and light microscopic examinations can enhance diagnostic accuracy.Objective To evaluate the clinical-epidemiological, trichoscopic, and light microscopic features of hair and scalp disorders in the pediatric population.Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving pediatric patients aged 0-12 years seeking medical attention for hair and scalp conditions. Trichoscopic and light microscopic examinations were used for diagnosis, and the agreement between these modalities was assessed with Cohen's kappa coefficient.Results A total of 220 children were examined, with a median age of 7 years and male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1. The median duration of illness was four months, and median age at disease onset was 5.75 years. The most prevalent conditions observed were scalp infections, followed by non-infectious scaly scalp dermatosis and alopecia areata. Rare trichoscopic findings included "matchstick hair" in Netherton syndrome, trichoclasis in alopecia areata, trichoscopic features of transient neonatal hair loss, and new rare variants of tinea capitis, including alopecia areata-like, seborrheic dermatitis-like, and follicular pustular presentations. High agreement was found between trichoscopy and clinical diagnosis (Cohen's kappa=0.917) as well as between trichoscopy and light microscopy (Cohen's kappa=0.769).Conclusion The findings underscore the significance of incorporating trichoscopy and light microscopy for diagnosing pediatric hair and scalp disorders, including rare genetic hair disorders. High agreement observed between trichoscopy, clinical diagnosis, and light microscopy emphasizes their utility as reliable noninvasive diagnostic tools in pediatric dermatology.
SN - 2160-9381
ER -