Demographic Characteristics and Association of Serum Vitamin B12, Ferritin and Thyroid Function with Premature Canities in Indian Patients

Sonthalia S

Published in Indian Journal of Dermatology

Methodology

Observational study of consecutive patients with premature canities recording demographic characteristics, family history and serum vitamin B12, ferritin, calcium and thyroid function.

Key Findings

Among 71 Indian patients with premature greying, low serum vitamin B12 was common and serum ferritin and calcium levels were frequently reduced compared with reference values; thyroid dysfunction was uncommon, and a family history of premature canities was the strongest associated factor.

Conclusions

Premature greying in this cohort was associated with low B12 and ferritin and with family history, supporting nutritional screening while noting that genetics dominates and that correcting deficiency has not been shown to reverse greying.

Limitations

Small single-centre observational study without a matched control group for all analyses, cross-sectional design that cannot establish causation, self-reported family history, and no interventional follow-up.