A 3-Year-Old Girl with Thin Hair

January 2013 in “ Pediatric Annals ”

Lauren Becker, Sarah L. Chamlin

loose anagen syndrome iron deficiency anemia alopecia thyroid function

Studysummary This article discusses the clinical features, differential diagnosis, and natural history of loose anagen syndrome in children but reports no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document described a case of a 3-year-old girl with thin hair, diagnosed with loose anagen syndrome. This condition was characterized by hair that easily pulls out without discomfort, and the girl had thin blond hair since birth, with no significant scalp abnormalities. Her thyroid function was normal, but she had incidental iron deficiency anemia, for which she was receiving oral iron supplements. There was no family history of similar hair issues or autoimmune disorders. The document aimed to educate on identifying clinical features of loose anagen syndrome, distinguishing it from other types of alopecia, and understanding its natural history.

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Research cited in this study

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research Abnormal Inner Root Sheath of the Hair Follicle in the Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome: An Ultrastructural Study

31 citations , December 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reports that structural abnormalities in the inner root sheath of hair follicles may cause the hair shaft to be loosely attached in patients with loose anagen hair syndrome.

research Practical Guidelines for Evaluation of Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome

46 citations , October 2009 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that loose anagen hair syndrome is a common form of alopecia in young girls, typically presenting with thin, sparse hair and usually confirmed by a hair-pull test.

research Loose Anagen Syndrome And Loose Anagen Hair

25 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article discusses loose anagen syndrome, highlighting its characteristics, diagnostic methods, and spontaneous improvement over time, but provides no new clinical results.

research Loose Anagen Hair as a Cause of Hereditary Hair Loss in Children

55 citations , October 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers observed that loose anagen hair syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by abnormal hair follicle structure and premature keratinization, possibly due to signaling and desmosomal component disturbances.