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Monilethrix treated with oral retinoids.
1Department of Dermatology, Slade Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|May 1, 1991
Summary
This study details a childhood case of monilethrix treated with oral etretinate. The medication improved hair length and reduced shaft beading, suggesting etretinate specifically targets this hair shaft abnormality.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Monilethrix is a rare genetic hair disorder characterized by beaded hair shafts.
- Keratosis pilaris often co-occurs with monilethrix, affecting the scalp's follicular openings.
- Treatment options for monilethrix are limited, with variable efficacy.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient with monilethrix received oral etretinate therapy.
- Clinical assessment revealed minimal cosmetic improvement.
- Significant changes were observed in hair shaft morphology, including increased length and reduced beading.
Findings:
- Etretinate treatment led to a notable increase in hair length.
- The characteristic beading along the hair shaft was significantly reduced.
- The underlying keratosis pilaris on the scalp remained unchanged, indicating a specific effect on hair shaft structure.
Implications:
- Etretinate appears to specifically influence the beading abnormality in monilethrix hair shafts.
- This suggests the beading is not solely a secondary artifact of follicular hyperkeratosis.
- Further research into retinoids for managing monilethrix hair shaft defects is warranted.