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Scanning Electron Microscopic Hair Shaft Analysis in Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndromes.
Stefanie A Hirano-Ali1, Ashley M Reed2, Brandon J Rowan3
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Pediatric Dermatology
|November 21, 2015
Summary
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant hair shaft differences in ectodermal dysplasia (ED) patients compared to controls. These findings, including groove characteristics, aid in diagnosing ED syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Genetics
- Microscopy
Background:
- Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) syndromes are a group of genetic disorders affecting ectodermal structures.
- Previous research utilized light microscopy to study hair shaft abnormalities in ED.
Purpose of the Study:
- To catalog hair shaft abnormalities in individuals with ED using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- To compare SEM findings in ED patients with those in unaffected controls.
Main Methods:
- SEM analysis of hair shafts from 65 individuals with seven types of ED syndromes and 41 controls.
- Blinded assessment of hair shafts along their length and in cross-section.
Main Results:
- SEM identified pathological hair shaft abnormalities in both ED patients and controls.
- Statistically significant differences were observed in hair shaft diameter and groove presence between ED patients and controls (p < 0.05).
- Significant findings were also noted when ED subtypes were analyzed separately.
Conclusions:
- SEM serves as a valuable adjuvant tool for diagnosing ED syndromes.
- High specificity differences exist between the hair shafts of individuals with ED and control subjects, as well as among ED subtypes.
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