Study Suggests Hair Loss Drug in Mothers May Risk Infants

A recent global analysis indicates that mothers using minoxidil, a widely used hair loss medication, may inadvertently increase the risk of infantile hypertrichosis in their children—a condition characterized by abnormal hair growth on areas of the body not typically hairy.

Researchers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, examined 2,664 reported cases of suspected minoxidil-related infantile hypertrichosis worldwide. Of these, 45 cases involved children aged up to 23 months.

The study found that 22 per cent of these 45 cases were linked directly to maternal use of minoxidil, 44.4 per cent resulted from accidental exposure, and 33.3 per cent were due to unknown causes. The findings have been published in the Archives of Dermatological Research journal.

Experts caution that while minoxidil is generally considered safe for adult use, its potential effects on infants, particularly through maternal exposure, warrant careful consideration. Parents are advised to consult healthcare providers before using such medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The analysis highlights the importance of awareness regarding drug exposure in early infancy and the need for further research to establish safe usage guidelines for mothers.