Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent, non-scarring type of hair loss. Although its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, imbalance of some trace elements in the blood has been suggested as a possible contributory cause. Objective: To evaluate the role of serum levels of zinc, copper, magnesium and iron in the etiopathogenesis of AA. Methodology: This case control study was carried out in 40 patients with AA and 40 healthy volunteers who served as controls. Clinical assessment was performed for every patient. A 5 ml venous blood sample was collected from every patient and control, centrifuged and sent for quantitative detection of serum levels of zinc, copper, magnesium and iron by atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: The mean value of serum zinc was significantly lower, and the mean values of serum copper and magnesiumwere significantly higherin AA patients than the control group (p<0.001). The serum copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher in patientscompared with the control group (p<0.001). The mean value of serum iron was higher in AA patients compared to the controls; but this finding was not statistically significant (p=0.632). Further, the serum level of zinc was found to be significantly affected by patients’ sex, age and duration of disease. Conclusion: Elevated serum copper and depressed serum zinc levels could be one of the contributing factors of AA. Decreased serum zinc level may additionally have a role in prolongation of the disease course. The role of magnesium levels need further elucidation. Serum iron levels do not seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of AA.

Keywords: Alopecia Areata; Atomic Absorption Spectrometer; Copper; Iron; Magnesium; Zinc.