Why Do Infants Lose Their Hair?

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.