Male pattern alopecia, or androgenetic alopecia, primarily affects adults, but it can also present as a cause of hair loss in children and adolescents. As with adult male pattern alopecia, pediatric male pattern alopecia is related to dihydrotestosterone, which induces miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles. In adolescent boys, male pattern alopecia presents with hair thinning that is most pronounced at the vertex and bilateral temples, which is similar to the presentation of male pattern alopecia in adult men. In prepubescent boys, however, male pattern alopecia can present as hair thinning and widening most pronounced at the middle part, a pattern more characteristic of female pattern alopecia.

The prevalence of pediatric male pattern alopecia is currently unknown as there is a paucity of studies. Male pattern alopecia has been reported in children as young as 5 years. As with adult male pattern alopecia, family history is considered a strong risk factor as three-quarters of affected children report at least one parent with androgenetic alopecia and a quarter reported having a history in both parents.

Male pattern alopecia in adolescent boys is also associated with common skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, or seborrheic dermatitis.