Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

My daughter began getting grey hair when she was five. Now, at age seven, the grey is very noticeable throughout her hair. It is not a birth mark, and there is no pre-mature grey traits in our family that we know of. The doctor has run tests, and has not been able to find any reason why this is happening. Has anyone experienced this with their child?

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

Iron deficiency

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

nope. maybe u should just wait and see what the doc says.

have a nice day:)

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

there were to guys at my middle school with salt and pepper hair already. the little seventh grader denied that he had it and started to cry. but Marvin, my friend who also has Grey hair, said he got it from his dad

CHRIST^up

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

lack or iron. Your doctor sucks.

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21%26amp;a...

Several conditions can alter a child's preset melanocyte-clock. If these conditions are present for a short time, a few scattered gray hairs may be the result; if they persist, the graying is likely to progress.

The most common of these is vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is present widely in foods from animal sources. Dietary deficiency is difficult to achieve, unless a person is eating a strict vegan diet. Breast-fed infants whose mothers have B12 deficiency can also develop a transient deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12 can occur even in the face of adequate B12 intake. The body's ability to absorb and use B12 can be hampered by surgery involving the stomach or small bowel, diseases affecting the small bowel (e.g. regional enteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, tuberculosis, diverticulosis, or fish tapeworms), or a congenital lack of the molecules needed to absorb B12 (intrinsic factor or Transcobalamin I, II, or III). A simple blood test can diagnose current vitamin B12 deficiency. If your son was deficient in the past, it will probably not be detectable, but neither will the graying progress.

Some anemias -- the megaloblastic ones (including the anemia caused by B12 deficiency) -- can produce gray hairs as an early sign. A simple blood test detects current anemia. As in the case of B12 deficiency, previous anemia is not easy to detect, but will not continue to affect your son's melanocytes.

Several thyroid disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism, reduce melanocyte activity while they are present. Disorders of skin pigmentation, such as vitiligo (which follows the destruction of melanocytes in the skin), can also result in a loss of hair pigmentation. A rare entity called Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome occurs in some children following a viral illness. In an attempt to fight the virus, the body makes antibodies that, unfortunately, also attack the melanocytes.

So, Debbie, it is possible that your son has a vitamin deficiency. It is also possible that the gray hairs are a visible sign of an important internal process. Gray hair in a child should be investigated. When I see a child with gray hairs in the office, I look to three sources to try to determine the underlying cause. First, I find out what I can about the family history. Next, I perform a thorough physical examination looking for helpful clues. Finally, I obtain three laboratory tests: a vitamin B12 level, a complete blood count (CBC), and a thyroid function panel.

Re: Grey Hair in Children

閳ユ翻he time and speed of gray hair onset is due in part to genetics, and

early onset gray hair development can run in families. Very

occasionally, a few gray hairs can develop in children as young as 8

years and yet it indicates nothing other than an early onset of the

gray hair that we all develop with increasing age. Typical gray hair

first develops at age 34.2 +/- 9.6 years in Caucasians while for Black

people the average age of onset is 43.9 +/-10.3 years閳?br> http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C574183....

閳ユ翻here are many instances where a systemic disease can indirectly

affect hair color. The mechanisms by which hair color changes occur in

such diseases has not been investigated in any detail although various

suggestions have been made.閳?br>

閳ユ窅ertain drugs, herbs and supplements -- including vitamin E and

echinacea -- are also known to cause graying. In addition, smoking has

been linked to early graying. A study published in the December 21,

1996, issue of the British Medical Journal suggested a connection

between smoking and gray hair (as well as between smoking and male

baldness). The researchers were not, however, able to determine a

direct cause-and-effect relationship.閳?br> http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/men/9911/10/pr...

Smoke, even second hand smoke, has been linked to premature gray hair.

http://nhfpl.adam.com/pages/wc/articles/...

http://ask.yahoo.com/20010508.html

Why does this happen? The most common reason is heredity; premature gray hair is yet another thing we can blame on our parents. But there are also several medical conditions characterized by graying of the hair. A B-12 deficiency, a thyroid imbalance, and anemia can all cause premature gray hair. And if you needed yet another reason to quit smoking, there is new evidence that smokers are four times more likely to go gray at a young age.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/men/9911/10/pr...

Pernicious anemia is a rare type of anemia in which the blood cannot absorb vitamin B-12, which is necessary for the production of red blood cells. Pernicious anemia can be diagnosed through a blood test and is simply treated with vitamin B-12 injections. "Other symptoms will be present besides premature graying in a person with pernicious anemia," assures Litt, including fatigue, shortness of breath and possibly chest pains.

Drugs can cause graying, too

Certain drugs, herbs and supplements -- including vitamin E and echinacea -- are also known to cause graying. In addition, smoking has been linked to early graying. A study published in the December 21, 1996, issue of the British Medical Journal suggested a connection between smoking and gray hair (as well as between smoking and male baldness). The researchers were not, however, able to determine a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

In general, however, the appearance of a gray hair or two, or more, is simply a sign that you're aging normally. "Remember, one rose does not a summer make," quips Litt. In other words, you are more than just your hair, gray or not.

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

My sister had grey hair from birth, it is simply a lack of pigmentation.

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

I have had a patch of gray hair since I was little. It can be caused by a vitamin deficiency Don't worry about it the hairs usual get some, not all but some of the color back, once the vitamin count is back up

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

my bff has that it is because of a birthmark on her head so that is probably that reason fo your daughter to have it

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

In the last couple of weeks I have found a couple of grey hairs in my 6 year old daughters hair... everyone keeps talking about a deficiency of some sort... I will be taking her to the doctors.

I've never heard of this until now.... I must admit i'm a little worried.

I hope you find some answers soon... Good Luck.

Why would a seven year old child be developing grey hair?

either that's her new hair color, stress, or very advanced wisdom