Short anagen hair with persistent synchronized pattern of scalp hair growth

doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(03)00453-5

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Volume 49, Issue 5, November 2003, Pages 949-951

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-9622(03)00453-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

Unlike other mammals that molt hair seasonally, human beings have scalp hair follicles that exhibit an asynchronized pattern of cycling, with the growth and subsequent shedding of each hair being independent of others around it. This mosaic cycling behavior is established early and continues throughout life. We describe a boy who continues to have a synchronized pattern of hair growth and shedding, and a short anagen duration at 4 years of age. He appears to never have established the expected asynchronized pattern of hair growth.

Section snippets

Case report

A 2.5-year-old boy was brought in for assessment of short scalp hair that failed to grow. He had good scalp hair density, but up until that time had not required a haircut. In addition, the pattern of hair growth and shedding was synchronized so that waves of short hairs could be seen moving in an anterior to posterior progression (Fig 1). Both parents had normal scalp hair growth. He had an uneventful gestation and birth, and had been otherwise healthy. Review at 4 years old found no change

Discussion

Mammalian hair follicles show an inherent rhythm of cycling. In lower mammals, the hair cycles of the entire coat are synchronized to molt 1 to 3 times each year. These seasonal changes are a result of the influence of various environmental stimuli, especially day length, and are mediated in part by the pineal and pituitary glands. Human beings also demonstrate seasonal changes in hair growth, but changes are subtle and not usually clinically detectable. The influence of estrogen during and

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