TLDR Fragile hair in children is rarely linked to trichothiodystrophy (TTD).
The study investigated the relationship between fragile hair and trichothiodystrophy (TTD) by analyzing 25 patients with hair fragility over 10 years. The research found that while 19 patients exhibited hair damage, only 3 cases matched a diagnosis of TTD. The study concluded that fragile hair in childhood was rarely associated with TTD, and the presence of the tiger-tail pattern was sensitive but not specific to TTD. The authors suggested that the term TTD should be used to describe sulphur-deficient hair rather than as a broad diagnostic label for a multisystem disorder.
71 citations,
May 2006 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” TTD hair brittleness is caused by multiple structural abnormalities.
35 citations,
September 2003 in “Archives of dermatology” Tiger tail bands in hair are caused by wavy hair fibers with melanin, unlike straight fibers in normal hair.
11 citations,
March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Hair microscopy is useful for diagnosing hair disorders, but clear definitions are needed for accurate genetic analysis.
13 citations,
January 2001 in “Pediatric dermatology” A dark-haired Chinese girl had hair that looked banded under certain light but was normal under a microscope.
28 citations,
September 1986 in “Pediatric dermatology” Zinc therapy improved hair health in a girl with acrodermatitis enteropathica.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” Understanding normal hair growth and loss in children is key to diagnosing and treating hair disorders.
7 citations,
November 2000 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Most hair loss in children is caused by a few common conditions and is easy to diagnose, but rare types require careful evaluation.
February 2023 in “European biophysics journal” 
February 2022 in “International journal of research in dermatology” The document concludes that proper diagnosis and treatment of hair shaft disorders require understanding their unique causes and avoiding hair-damaging practices.
September 2003 in “Current Paediatrics” The document concludes that accurate diagnosis and understanding the type of hair disorder are crucial for treating hair loss in children.
