Cells called melanocytes, found in hair follicles, give hair its color. Gray hairs result over time as the activity of these cells slows, according to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene. While it's a natural part of the aging process, graying hair in toddlers is premature. One strand of gray hair on a toddler isn't cause for concern, says CNNHealth.com, but more may indicate a problem. There are a few causes of gray hair on a toddler or child.
Genetics
A person's graying time line is coded in the genes. Immediate family members tend to follow a similar graying pattern. If other relatives in a toddler's family showed gray hairs in early childhood, the toddler likely inherited the same tendency, according to Greene. The toddler's progression of graying will typically adhere closely to the same pattern other family members experienced all through life.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Premature gray hairs on a toddler may indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. Children raised as vegans are most at risk, as B12 is naturally occurring only in animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy. However, many foods are fortified with B12, and it is found in most multivitamins, making B12 deficiencies rare from lack of adequate intake in the United States. There are other causes of vitamin B12 deficiencies, though, Greene says. These include certain congenital molecular problems and a variety of digestive diseases, disorders and parasites. A blood test can confirm vitamin B12 deficiency.
Disorders
Abnormal functions of the thyroid--especially hyperthyroidism--can cause gray hairs on toddlers. These conditions can inhibit the activities of melanocytes, says Greene. Tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder triggering the growth of benign tumors throughout the body, is also known to cause gray hairs on toddlers. Some other symptoms include abnormalities in skin coloring and texture, seizures, learning disabilities and kidney and lung problems, according to MayoClinic.com.
Vitiligo, a pigment disorder, can also cause premature graying. It can cause lightening of hair, skin and tissue all over the body.
Neurofibromatosis is another condition causing the widespread growth of tumors that are usually benign. It can cause gray hairs to appear on toddlers, spots of faded coloring on the skin, nodules on the iris and skeletal deformities, according to the Nemours Foundation.
Waardenburg syndrome can also be responsible for gray hairs on a toddler. It is an inherited condition that also causes hearing loss, different coloration of the two eyes and changes in skin pigmentation, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
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