Monilethrix

Monilethrix is an autosomal dominant hair shaft disorder causing short and fragile hair due to intermittent constrictions. This case study described two Afghan siblings, aged 5 and 3, with hair loss and inability to grow long scalp hair since birth, despite no relevant family history. Examination revealed diffuse thinning, broken short hairs, and keratotic papules on the scalp, with similar issues in the eyebrows and body hair, but normal nails and teeth. Histopathology confirmed monilethrix with beaded hair appearance. Differential diagnoses included various hair loss conditions. No specific treatment exists, but hormonal influence, oral retinoids, topical minoxidil 2%, and iron supplementation have shown some improvement in different studies.