The prevalence of hair loss and its association with iron deficiency among adolescents in northern SudanAlotaib, Moteb Khalaf (Avtor) Adam, Ishag (Avtor) adolescentsalopeciairon deficiencyageSudanIntroduction: Alopecia and iron deficiency are significant public health issues in northern Sudan, and no research about this topic has been conducted. The aim is to examine the prevalence of iron deficiency and alopecia and associated factors among adolescents in northern Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire and clinical examination. Results: A total of 312 adolescents participated: 147 males (47.1%) and 165 females (52.9%). Among them, 21.2% of adolescents exhibited alopecia. Females experienced higher rates of alopecia, with 93.9% affected compared to 6.1% of males. Serum ferritin was significantly lower in adolescents with alopecia compared to those without it (6.05 [2.58-12.63] vs. 9.40 [4.88-23.40] μg/l, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that iron deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04–3.71) was associated with alopecia. However, age, body mass index, and parental education level showed no association. Among the adolescents with alopecia, 27.3% had patchy alopecia, 37.9% had diffuse alopecia, and 34.8% had traction alopecia. Conclusions: There is a significant prevalence of adolescent alopecia, predominantly among females. Iron deficiency was a key factor associated with alopecia, underscoring the importance of nutritional monitoring in this population.Združenje slovenskih dermatovenerologov20252026-06-09 08:38:17Neznano29911UDK: 616.594.1ISSN pri članku: 1318-4458DOI: 10.15570/actaapa.2025.29COBISS_ID: 276615427sl