Short Anagen Syndrome: Case Series and Literature Review

The document is a retrospective review of eight children diagnosed with short anagen syndrome (SAS) at the University of Miami Outpatient Dermatology Clinic. SAS is a congenital hair disorder characterized by a short anagen phase, leading to an inability to grow long hair and an increased number of hairs in the telogen phase. All patients were girls aged 2 to 7 years, predominantly Caucasian, and one had atopic dermatitis. The study, which is the largest clinical series of SAS reported to date, found that the condition is benign and tends to improve with age. None of the patients used minoxidil therapy. The authors highlight the need to distinguish SAS from other hair disorders and suggest that treatment may not be necessary in childhood, recommending reassurance and realistic expectations for hair growth to parents.