Question
A newborn girl, born on September 1, 2010, and approximately one month old, has recently experienced frontal hair loss with no effect on the back of her head. The baby seems more restless and irritable.
Answer
Newborns may go through fetal hair shedding, which usually returns to normal within a few months. However, if accompanied by symptoms such as irritability, frequent waking, and excessive sweating, it may indicate pathogenic hair loss caused by rickets. Rickets can also lead to circular hair loss at the back of the head, commonly known as “cradle cap,” which is often an early sign of the condition. Although frontal hair loss is different from hair loss related to calcium deficiency, the nature of the hair loss is not absolute. It is recommended to further observe for other symptoms of rickets.