[Trichorrhexis congenita. Scanning electron microscopic studies on a congenital disorder of hair growth]

1. A congenital disturbance of hair growth belonging to the "trichorrhexis nodosa" group is described. Clinically, abnormal hair fragility since birth was the leading symptom. There was no detectable amino-aciduria. 2. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) reveals localized alterations of the hair shafts. These are irregularities of the cuticular pattern, partial fractures of the cortical filament bundles, and complete fractures with broom-like splintering of the hair ends. 3. There is no generally accepted definition of the symptom or the disease of "trichorrhexis nodosa". Further SEM analysis and collection of such hair anomalies is proposed. As in the case described here no "nodes" of the hair shaft were observed, it is presented as "trichorrhexis conginita".