Psychosocial comorbidities in patients with paediatric alopecia areata: a literature review

Alopecia areata (AA), a chronic autoimmune disorder causing nonscarring hair loss, has a greater prevalence in the paediatric population. Like many visible dermatological disorders, AA can cause significant psychosocial impairment, particularly in children who are undergoing critical periods of psychosocial development. This paper investigates the psychosocial impact of AA on children. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. The SCOPUS and PubMed databases were utilized with the terms 'alopecia areata', 'pediatric' and 'psychosocial comorbidities'. Twelve articles were reviewed, with six meeting the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis. The review revealed prominent associations between AA and psychosocial comorbidities in children. Psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder were prevalent in paediatric patients with AA, with exacerbation due to increased disease severity. These negatively impacted the quality of life of the affected children. Additionally, the comorbidities extended beyond psychiatric diagnoses, impacting self-esteem, academic performance, peer relationships and body image satisfaction in children. This literature review highlights the significant impact of various psychosocial comorbidities in children with AA, emphasizing the need for early identification and intervention. Healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists and dermatologists, can play a significant role in treating paediatric patients with AA. Dermatologists can play a critical role in diagnosing AA, identifying psychosocial comorbidities that may arise, and referring patients to appropriate care. Future research should focus on elucidating effective screening tools for dermatologists to identify these comorbidities early, ultimately improving the overall wellbeing of children with AA.