Hair graying (canities) is one of the natural aging processes. Although it is generally not a medical problem, it greatly concerns many people for aesthetic reasons. 1 The age of normal occurrence of physiological graying of hairs varies in different races; age of 34.2 ± 9.6 years in white races, 43.9 ± 10.3 years in blacks, and between 30 and 39 years in Japanese population. 2 There is no available reference age range for physiological graying for Egyptian subcontinent.

Background Premature graying of hair (PHG) is defined as graying of hair before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in Blacks. Several factors contribute to development of hair graying as genetics, environmental factors, life style and stressful events. Also, many biological markers were associated with development of hair graying as vitamin D, ferritin, vitamin B12 and many other electrolytes as calcium and magnesium. Aim of the study assess various epidemiological factors and biochemical variables (serum ferritin and vitamin D) associated with premature graying of hair. Patients and methods The current study included 75 premature hair graying patients, and 75 apparently healthy controls of matched age and sex. Assessment of epidemiological, clinical characteristics, estimation of serum levels of vitamin D and ferritin was done for included subjects. Results We detected positive correlation of sedentary life style, stress perception and family history with PHG development. No significant difference of vitamin D between the two groups, while low serum ferritin was significantly associated with PHG patients.