Question
Newborns often experience the shedding of lanugo within the first few weeks after birth, which usually resolves itself after several months. Is this a normal occurrence, or could there be other reasons for hair loss? What might be the possible causes if it’s not a normal physiological condition? What precautions should be taken in care?
Answer
Hair loss that occurs in infants within the first few weeks after birth may be a normal physiological condition. This situation typically resolves itself within a few months. Additionally, hair loss in infants may also be caused by friction on the head. During sleep, the pressure generated by the weight of the head can lead to areas of hair loss on the baby’s scalp, which is also a normal phenomenon. However, if infants exhibit other symptoms such as irritability, frequent waking during sleep, and excessive sweating, it may indicate a deficiency in calcium. Hair loss caused by calcium deficiency is usually accompanied by circular alopecia on the scalp, known as “cradle cap,” which is an early sign of calcium deficiency in infants. To prevent and treat calcium deficiency in infants, it is recommended to start with cod liver oil drops from 15 days after birth and to begin calcium supplementation at around 4 months old, continuing until approximately 2 years of age.