Hair Microscopy: An Easy Adjunct to Diagnosis of Systemic Diseases in Children

November 2021 in “ Applied Microscopy ”

Dharmagat Bhattarai, Aaqib Zaffar Banday, Rohit Sadanand, Kanika Arora, Gurjit Kaur, Satish C. Sharma, Amit Rawat

hair microscopy light microscopy polarized light microscopy electron microscopy atomic force microscopy confocal scanning microscopy Comel-Netherton syndrome Griscelli syndrome Chediak Higashi syndrome Menkes disease Trichothiodystrophy Uncombable Hair Syndrome melanin granules sulfur-deficient hair fragile hair oral biotin supplementation biotin

Studysummary This article presents a comprehensive overview of hair microscopy techniques and their diagnostic potential for systemic and cutaneous disorders, emphasizing its usefulness in resource-limited settings and highlighting the underutilization of this non-invasive method due to lack of awareness. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

Hair microscopy is a valuable, yet underutilized, diagnostic tool for identifying systemic diseases in children, particularly in resource-limited settings. The technique can reveal changes in hair structure and growth patterns indicative of various diseases, such as Comel-Netherton syndrome, Griscelli syndrome, Chediak Higashi syndrome, and Menkes disease. The document discusses several microscopy techniques, including light microscopy, polarized light microscopy, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal scanning microscopy. It also highlights specific hair features that are characteristic of certain diseases, such as the irregular distribution of melanin granules in Griscelli syndrome type 2 and regularly irregular deposition of melanin granules in Chediak Higashi syndrome. Other conditions discussed include Trichothiodystrophy, characterized by sulfur-deficient fragile hair, and Uncombable Hair Syndrome, which can be improved with oral biotin supplementation. Despite the availability of more advanced methods, light microscopy remains a useful, inexpensive, and easily accessible technique.

View this study on appmicro.springeropen.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

research The Use of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alopecia

3 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This review discusses the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for alopecia, finding promising preliminary results with topical caffeine for androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, but limited success in alopecia areata.

research New Drugs Under Investigation for the Treatment of Alopecias

26 citations , January 2019 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

This review explored the new and emerging treatments for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, finding that JAK inhibitors show promise for alopecia areata, while advancements in stem-cell research may eventually lead to new and improved treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

research Trichoscopy in Hair Shaft Disorders

36 citations , August 2018 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews various hair abnormalities observable through trichoscopy in conditions like monilethrix, trichorrhexis nodosa, and ectodermal dysplasias, with no new clinical findings reported.

research Diet and Hair Loss: Effects of Nutrient Deficiency and Supplement Use

79 citations , January 2017 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual”

This article addresses the need to screen for nutrient deficiencies in patients with hair loss but reports no new findings, noting that supplementation without deficiency may not be beneficial and could pose risks.

research Treatment of Monilethrix with Oral Minoxidil

37 citations , May 2016 in “JAAD case reports”

This abstract describes monilethrix, an autosomal dominant genodermatosis with symptoms like hair fragility and keratosis pilaris, and does not report new experimental results.

research Monilethrix: A Typical Case Report with Microscopic and Dermatoscopic Findings

20 citations , February 2015 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

This case report describes a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with monilethrix despite no familial history and treated with a topical minoxidil trial.

research Scalp Dermoscopy or Trichoscopy

69 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

This review discusses trichoscopy as a noninvasive, effective technique for diagnosing various hair loss conditions and monitoring treatment, highlighting its potential to reduce scalp biopsy necessity.

research Normal and Aging Hair Biology and Structure: Aging and Hair

20 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

This article discusses the aging-related changes in hair structure and function, and examines various treatments like light therapy, minoxidil, and finasteride aimed at mitigating hair thinning and loss, but reports no new clinical results.

research Light Microscopic Hair Abnormalities in Children: Retrospective Review of 119 Cases in a 10-Year Period

7 citations , November 2013 in “Pediatric and Developmental Pathology”

This retrospective review of hair samples from pediatric patients indicated that microscopic hair examination might be a useful first-line investigation for diagnosing various genetic conditions.

research Hair Shafts in Trichoscopy

86 citations , October 2013 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Trichoscopy is a useful non-invasive method for diagnosing different hair loss conditions.

research Nutrition and Hair: The Role of Nutrients in Hair Health

98 citations , October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews the impact of nutritional deficiencies on hair health, detailing how they can cause structural abnormalities, pigmentation changes, or hair loss; it presents no new clinical findings.

research Light Microscopy of the Hair: A Simple Tool to Untangle Hair Disorders

24 citations , January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This review highlights the light microscopic features of various infectious and non-infectious hair conditions and reports no new clinical results.

research Trichothiodystrophy And Fragile Hair: The Distinction Between Diagnostic Signs And Diagnostic Labels In Childhood Hair Disease

17 citations , September 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study suggests that clinically apparent fragile hair in children is rarely linked to trichothiodystrophy, and the tiger-tail pattern is not wholly specific to this diagnosis.

research Familial Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Ultrastructural Hair Study and Response to Biotin

49 citations , April 2007 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This study describes a family with uncombable hair syndrome, suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance, and reports that oral biotin improved hair appearance in two young patients.

research Investigation of Dyed Human Hair Fibers Using Apertureless Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy

9 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of Microscopy”

This study using an apertureless scanning near-field optical microscope found that dye restricted to hair's periphery remains mainly on the surface and in the endocuticle.

research An Autosomal Recessive Form of Monilethrix Is Caused by Mutations in DSG4: Clinical Overlap with Localized Autosomal Recessive Hypotrichosis

97 citations , March 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study identified four novel DSG4 mutations associated with monilethrix in 12 Jewish families, suggesting a recessive inheritance pattern and broader prevalence of DSG4-related hair disorders than previously recognized.

research Human Hair Keratin-Associated Proteins

71 citations , August 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This study revealed that human keratin-associated protein genes are expressed in specific patterns in hair fiber regions and vary in size, with some variations distinct across different populations.

research Cosmetic Assessment of Human Hair by Confocal Microscopy

25 citations , March 2002 in “Scanning”

This study highlights confocal microscopy as a promising, minimally invasive tool for assessing hair morphology and internal structures, making it valuable for cosmetic hair assessments.

research Neurotrichosis: Hair-Shaft Abnormalities Associated With Neurological Diseases

33 citations , December 1982 in “Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology”

The authors reviewed cases of six children with both hair-shaft abnormalities and neurological disorders, noting that such hair defects may indicate neurological conditions, including potentially treatable metabolic errors.