Alopecia areata in children

These researchers therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of methotrexate in children with severe alopecia areata. This retrospective study included 14 children aged eight to 18 years who had alopecia areata for a mean duration of 5.7 years. The children received treatment once a week at a mean dose of 18.9mg for a mean duration of 14.2 months. Methotrexate treatment was considered successful in five of the 13 children who were assessed; the remainder were regarded as treatment failures. Methotrexate could cautiously be considered for severe alopecia areata, although further studies are needed to prove its efficacy.
Royer M, Bodemer C, Vabres P et al. Br J Dermatol 2011; 165: 407-10