Congenital Generalized Hypertrichosis: The Skin as a Clue to Complex Malformation Syndromes

The document reviewed congenital generalized hypertrichosis, a rare condition characterized by excessive body hair growth, which could be isolated or part of complex malformation syndromes. It distinguished hypertrichosis from hirsutism and classified it based on onset, distribution, and association with other anomalies. While congenital hypertrichosis was rare, acquired hypertrichosis was more common and linked to various causes like drug side effects and metabolic disorders. The review highlighted that hypertrichosis often accompanied other clinical signs such as intellectual delay and epilepsy. A 20-year follow-up of a previously described patient was also discussed, emphasizing the condition's role as an indicator of complex syndromes.