Epidemiological and investigative study of premature graying of hair in higher secondary and pre-university school children

Bhat RM

Published in International Journal of Trichology

Methodology

Cross-sectional epidemiological and laboratory investigation of higher-secondary and pre-university students with premature greying, including clinical grading and serum ferritin, calcium, vitamin B12 and thyroid testing.

Key Findings

In 70 schoolchildren with premature greying, a positive family history was present in over half of cases, and low serum ferritin, calcium and vitamin B12 as well as atopy were frequently observed; greying most commonly began on the temporal scalp.

Conclusions

Case-control study: serum calcium, ferritin and vitamin D3 may play a role in premature graying of hair.

Limitations

Small single-centre observational sample with no control group for most biochemical comparisons; cross-sectional so causality cannot be inferred; laboratory testing not performed on all participants; recall-based family history.