Understanding Infant Hair Loss: Causes & What to Expect

Newborn hair loss experienced during the first six months after birth is perfectly normal. According to babycenter, this phenomenon is referred to as telogen effluvium.

Identification

• According to the What to Expect Foundation, a sharp decrease in hormones halts the hair growth of an infant shortly after birth. After this, the telogen effluvium phase begins, causing the infant's hair to completely fall out.

Features

• Dr. Stephen Muething, MD, associate director of clinical services in general and community pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center states that some infants will produce a full head of hair very quickly, but some babies experience baldness until their first birthday.

Considerations

• Although infant hair loss is typically normal, prolonged or chronic hair loss in an infant may be a sign of a serious condition. If parents have concerns that their baby's hair loss may not be following a normal pattern, a pediatrician should be consulted.