TLDR A 6-year-old girl had both monilethrix and trichorrhexis nodosa, causing brittle hair, with minimal improvement from treatment.
This case report describes a rare instance of a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with both monilethrix and trichorrhexis nodosa (TN), two hair shaft disorders characterized by brittle and fragile hair. The patient presented with sparse, brittle hair in specific scalp regions, along with perifollicular papules and follicular hyperkeratosis. Diagnostic tools such as dermoscopy and light microscopy revealed characteristic features of both conditions, including a beaded appearance and splitting of hair shafts. Despite treatment with low-dose oral and topical minoxidil, only minimal clinical improvement was observed. This case highlights the rare coexistence of these two disorders in a pediatric patient.
July 2024 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” A variant in the KRT31 gene causes a rare hereditary hair disorder called monilethrix.
June 2024 in “Annals of Medicine and Surgery” A 23-year-old Syrian woman has two rare hair disorders, and avoiding hair treatments plus using vitamins and minoxidil may help.
5 citations
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February 2022 in “Molecular genetics & genomic medicine” New gene variants linked to a rare inherited hair loss disorder were found in three Chinese families.
July 2021 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Monilethrix causes different levels of hair loss in family members.
33 citations
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June 2016 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Some congenital hair disorders improve in childhood or with treatments like minoxidil and retinoids, while others like Netherton syndrome and trichothiodystrophy have a poor prognosis.
18 citations
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January 2015 in “Experimental Dermatology” New mutations in KRT83 and KRT86 are linked to the hair disorder monilethrix.
33 citations
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June 2016 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Some congenital hair disorders improve in childhood or with treatments like minoxidil and retinoids, while others like Netherton syndrome and trichothiodystrophy have a poor prognosis.
1 citations
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September 2015 in “Clinics in Dermatology” The guide helps doctors diagnose hair problems by suggesting a thorough patient history, physical exams, and various diagnostic tools.
36 citations
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August 2018 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing hair disorders without pulling out hair.
24 citations
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January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology” Light microscopy is useful for diagnosing different hair disorders.
26 citations
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July 2019 in “Dermatology and Therapy” The conclusion is that genetic testing is important for diagnosing and treating various genetic hair disorders.