Monilethrix

A 9-year-old boy with monilethrix, a rare hereditary hair shaft disorder, was presented in a case study. The condition, characterized by a beaded appearance of the hair shaft, was diagnosed through clinical examination and trichogram analysis. Monilethrix is typically inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, though it can also appear as an autosomal recessive condition. It is often caused by mutations in trichocyte keratin genes on chromosome 12, with different mutations leading to varying severities of the disorder. There was no effective treatment for monilethrix, but some case reports indicated improvement with treatments like topical minoxidil and biotin. The most effective management was avoiding trauma to the hair.