[Menkes' kinky hair disease: report of 2 cases]

Menkes' kinky hair disease (trichopoliodystrophy) is a rare inherited X-linked recessive disease with an incidence of about 1:35,000, and is rare reported previously in Taiwan. We present 2 cases with typical features including sparse, coarse and stubby, kinky hair, depigmented skin, pudgy face, arrow-shaped upper lip, hypotonia, Babinski signs bilaterally, profound psychomotor retardation with disability of head control or rolling over, and poorly controlled myoclonic jerks. Both were male infants with a family history of male relatives died in early childhood. Their hairs showed pili torti and trichorrhexis nodosa microscopically. Serum levels of copper were 14 ug/dl and 20 ug/dl. Ceruloplasmin levels were 10.4 mg/dl and less than 7 mg/dl. Their EEG showed abnormal generalized brain polyspike waves. Brain CT scan showed generalized brain atrophy, and chronic subdural hematoma in case 1. Bilateral urinary bladder diverticula and spurs over the distal ends of the femoral diaphysis were found in case 1. Normal urinary bladder was found in case 2 initially, then diverticula developed one year later. They are currently on anticonvulsants (Rivotril) therapy. Repeated attacks of respiratory infection, myoclonic seizure, hypotonia, and static neurologic developmental status are noted.