Conference Coverage
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) can affect adolescents, and a study of six biopsy-proven cases indicates CCCA has a genetic component, Ariana N. Eginli and her colleagues report in Pediatric Dermatology.
CCCA, a scarring alopecia that disproportionately affects middle-aged women of African descent, has been attributed to hair care and styling practices. In this series, however, five of the six patients had a maternal history of CCCA, and only one had used chemical products or styling tools. “Specifically, the early onset of CCCA in these patients with natural virgin hair raises the possibility of genetic anticipation,” wrote Ms. Eginli of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, N.C., and her coauthors. “Therefore, recognizing that CCCA can present in children, particularly in those with a positive family history, is of utmost importance in controlling further disease progression and improving their quality of life.”
Courtesy RegionalDerm.com
This adult patient has central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.
Two patients had previously undergone scalp surgery, specifically ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, years before their hair loss began. The authors speculated that the scalp surgery may have contributed to the early development of CCCA.
“We recommend that clinicians check for early signs of CCCA when there are complaints of hair loss on the scalp of offspring of affected women of African descent,” they wrote. “If there is any clinical suspicion of CCCA or any scarring alopecia, a scalp biopsy should be performed.”
Ms. Eginli had no disclosures. One of her colleagues is a consultant for and has received grant support from various drug companies.
ezimmerman@frontlinemedcom.com
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