Understanding Premature Gray Hair in Children: Causes & What to Know

Gray hair is a common sight among older adults, but gray hair in children is an unusual occurrence, although it is not usually cause for alarm. Occasionally, premature gray hair in children is a symptom of an underlying health issue.

About

• Premature gray hair in children occurs when the cells that produce pigment cease doing so. Some children are born with patches of white or gray hair, which is a condition called poliosis.

Facts

• Most children with premature gray hair are healthy. Children with poliosis inherit this condition, which occurs when the body inadvertently destroys the pigment cells in the area of the white or gray hair patches.

Health Condition Causes

• Certain types of anemias can cause children to become prematurely gray. Additionally, hyperthyroidism will produce gray hair in children.

Lack of Vitamins

• A deficiency of vitamin B12 is the most typical cause of gray hair in children. Inadequate amounts of vitamin B12 can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including poor nutrition and tuberculosis.

Treatment

• Treatment for premature gray hair in children involves actually treating the condition that causes the graying in the first place. It is important to determine the cause of the gray hair so that the appropriate treatment can be administered.