Journal Digest: September 16, 2026

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition | Hair loss in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Clinical recognition and implications for care

A review of the limited pediatric literature highlights hair loss as an underrecognized extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Available evidence suggests 3 key patterns: telogen effluvium (TE), nutritional alopecia, and alopecia areata (AA). TE typically presents as diffuse shedding 2 to 3 months after systemic stress, including active inflammation, illness, hospitalization, or malnutrition, and generally resolves after the trigger is addressed. Nutritional deficiencies involving iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, and protein may contribute to diffuse thinning, brittle hair, and impaired growth. AA presents with sharply demarcated patches and may reflect autoimmune mechanisms associated with IBD, although pediatric-specific data remain sparse. For dermatology clinicians, evaluation should include IBD activity, medication exposures, nutritional status, growth parameters, and relevant laboratory testing. Management centers on controlling inflammation, correcting deficiencies, and monitoring regrowth. Collaboration with gastroenterology is recommended, given the limited pediatric evidence and overlapping treatment considerations.¹

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology | Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Efficacy, Safety, and Underlying Mechanism

A systematic review of 9 clinical studies involving 847 participants evaluated stem cell–based therapies for skin rejuvenation, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exosomes, and related products. Human-derived studies suggested improvements in skin elasticity of approximately 26% to 34% and collagen synthesis of 35% to 45%, while exosome-based treatments were associated with 16.8% to 25.4% reductions in facial wrinkles. Adipose-derived MSCs demonstrated potential benefits for elasticity and collagen production, while umbilical cord–derived products showed anti-inflammatory effects in limited comparative data. Safety findings were generally favorable: 98.4% of reported adverse events were mild and self-limiting, and no serious safety signals, tumorigenicity, or immune-mediated rejection were reported. However, clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously. Evidence certainty was low to moderate because of small studies, methodological heterogeneity, potential bias, limited long-term data, and inclusion of non-human products. Larger, standardized randomized trials are needed before widespread clinical adoption.²

Journal of Pediatric Dermatology | Associations of Active and Passive Smoke Exposure and Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the Pediatric Population: A Case–Control Study

A retrospective case-control study evaluated the association between active and passive smoke exposure and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) diagnosed before age 18. Among 174 pediatric and adolescent patients with HS and 522 matched controls, smoke exposure was significantly more common among those with HS. Overall active and/or passive exposure was associated with 4.8-fold higher odds of HS (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 3.06–7.61), while passive exposure alone was associated with 1.64-fold higher odds (95% CI, 1.01–2.61). Notably, passive exposure accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported smoke exposure among patients with HS. Smoke exposure was also associated with a later age at diagnosis. For dermatology clinicians, these findings support routinely asking pediatric and adolescent patients with HS about household and personal tobacco exposure. Counseling families about reducing secondhand smoke exposure may represent a useful component of comprehensive HS management, although the retrospective design demonstrates an association rather than causation.³

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | Impact of Chronic Urticaria on Major Life-Changing Decisions: Greater Burden in Social, Physical, and Job/Career Domains

A multicenter cross-sectional study evaluated how chronic urticaria (CU) affects major life-changing decisions (MLCDs) among 111 Turkish-speaking patients. Overall, 79.3% reported that CU had affected at least one major decision, with the greatest impact in social (69.4%), physical (56.8%), and job/career (36.9%) domains. Changing eating habits was the most frequently affected decision (60.4%), followed by avoiding sports (31.5%) and modifying work schedules (23.4%). Patients with disease onset at age 45 years or younger reported a greater burden, with 82.2% affected versus 58.8% of those with later onset. Indicators of greater disease burden, including sleep disturbance, emergency referrals, and missed school or work, were also associated with more affected decisions. For clinicians, the findings underscore the importance of assessing CU beyond symptoms and quality of life. Asking about work, social activities, physical activity, relationships, and other life decisions may identify unmet needs and support more comprehensive disease management.⁴

International Journal of Dermatology | Food Allergy Testing in Atopic Dermatitis: A Purpose-First Comparison of International Guidelines

Food allergy testing is common in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), but differing international recommendations can create confusion. A structured review of guidelines from North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and East Asia found that most apparent discrepancies reflect different clinical purposes: diagnosing an immediate IgE-mediated reaction, evaluating safe allergen introduction, or determining whether food may be driving eczema. Testing should be guided by the patient’s history and clinical context, rather than indiscriminate food panels. Guidance generally recommends optimizing AD treatment before investigating food-triggered eczema, with EuroGuiDerm reserving testing for moderate-to-severe disease with a supportive history or suspicion. Importantly, positive skin prick tests or food-specific IgE demonstrate sensitization, not necessarily clinical allergy. Unnecessary elimination diets can cause nutritional deficiencies and potentially reduce oral tolerance. Clinicians should clarify the purpose of testing, consider referral when appropriate, and pursue clinical confirmation before recommending long-term food avoidance.⁵

References

1. Anaeme A, Siegel L, Perlman M. Hair loss in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Clinical recognition and implications for care. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Published online September 8, 2026. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70568

2. Al-Dhubaibi MS, Mohammed GF, Bahaj SS, et al. Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Efficacy, Safety, and Underlying Mechanisms. J Cosmet Dermatol. 25, no. 9 (2026): e71186, doi:10.1111/jocd.71186

3. Ziebart RL, Numani A, Todd A, Alavi A, Davis DM, Mohandesi NA. Associations of Active and Passive Smoke Exposure and Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the Pediatric Population: A Case-Control Study. Pediatr Dermatol. Published online September 9, 2026. doi:10.1111/pde.70101

4. Ornek Ozdemir S, Cure K, Baskurt D, et al. Impact of Chronic Urticaria on Major Life-Changing Decisions: Greater Burden in Social, Physical, and Job/Career Domains. JEADV Clinical Practice 0 (2026): 1-10. doi:10.1002/jvc2.70433

5. Chen WG, Chen CC, Chen CY, Hsu SC, Ho WT. Food Allergy Testing in Atopic Dermatitis: A Purpose-First Comparison of International Guidelines. Int J Dermatol. Published online September 8, 2026. doi:10.1111/ijd.70669