Last updated:
May 23, 2008
Years published: 1996, 1998, 2004
Monilethrix is a rare inherited disorder characterized by sparse, dry, and/or brittle hair that often breaks before reaching more than a few inches in length. The hair may lack luster, and there may be patchy areas of hair loss (alopecia). Another common symptom may be the appearance of elevated spots (papules) surrounding the hair follicles that may be covered with gray or brown crusts or scales (perifollicular hyperkeratosis). When viewed under a microscope, the hair shaft resembles a string of evenly-spaced beads. In most cases, monilethrix is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.
In most cases of monilethrix, the hair is normal at birth; it may then be slowly replaced by abnormal hair during the first few months to two years of life. In some rare cases, the hair may be abnormal at birth (congenital). The hair may be sparse, dry, lusterless, and/or brittle. In addition, the hair is unusually short and breaks off before growing longer than a few inches.
Scalp hair is most frequently affected by monilethrix. The entire scalp or small areas of the scalp may be involved. In some cases, the eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair, and/or other body hair may also be affected. In addition, the patchy loss of hair (alopecia) is a common characteristic of this disorder. Progressive hair loss may lead to scattered bald patches or baldness.
In most cases of monilethrix, a skin condition known as perifollicular hyperkeratosis may develop. The condition is characterized by firm dark lesions (papules) covered with gray-brown scales and crusts that appear on the skin, especially the scalp.
The severity and progression of symptoms may vary greatly from case to case. In some cases, individuals with monilethrix may experience remission of the disorder for no apparent reason (spontaneously), most often during puberty or pregnancy. In other cases, the condition may remain the same throughout life or the symptoms may become progressively worse.
In most cases, monilethrix is inherited as an autosomal genetic trait. Genetic diseases are determined by two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother.
Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary for the appearance of the disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation (gene change) in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
Some cases of monilethrix result from defects (mutations) in the hair cortex keratin gene(s) (HB1; KRTHB1 and HB6; KRTHB6) located on the long arm (q) of chromosome 12 (12q13). Chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of human cells, carry the genetic information for each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, and an additional 23rd pair of sex chromosomes which include one X and one Y chromosome in males and two X chromosomes in females. Each chromosome has a short arm designated “p” and a long arm designated “q”. Chromosomes are further sub-divided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 12p13” refers to band 13 on the long arm of chromosome 12. The numbered bands specify the location of the thousands of genes that are present on each chromosome.
The physical findings associated with monilethrix may result from abnormalities of the hard keratin of hair and nails.
Monilethrix affects males and females in equal numbers. The exact number of people affected by this disorder is not known. Monilethrix may be apparent at birth or by the age of two years. In some cases, the symptoms may improve at puberty or during pregnancy; in other cases, the symptoms may remain the same throughout life.
The diagnosis of monilethrix may be confirmed by a thorough clinical evaluation and microscopic examination of the hair. When viewed under a microscope, the hair resembles a string of evenly-spaced beads.
No specific treatment exists for monilethrix. Spontaneous resolution following puberty has occurred in some cases. In affected females, the condition improves during pregnancy. Genetic counseling will be of benefit for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government website.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
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For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
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TEXTBOOKS
Behrman RE, ed. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 1996:1667.
Champion RH, et al., eds. Textbook of Dermatology. 5th ed. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1992:2607-9, 2586-92.
Buyce ML, ed. Birth Defects Encyclopedia. Dover, MA: Blackwell Scientific Publications; For: The Center for Birth Defects Information Services Inc; 1990:826.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Khandpur S, et al. A study of phenotypic correlation with genotypic status of HTM regions of KRTHB6 and KRTHB1 genes in monilethrix families of Indian origin. Ann Genet. 2004;47:77-84.
Horev L, et al. De novo mutations in monilethrix. Exp Dermatol. 2003;12:882-5.
Korge BP, et al. Indentification of novel mutations in basic hair keratins hHb1 and hHb6 in monilethrix: implications for protein structure and clinical phenotype. J Invest Dermatol. 1999;113:607-12.
Zlotogorski A, Horev L, Glaser B. Monilethrix: a keratin hHb6 mutation is co-dominant with variable expression. Exp Dermatol. 1998;7:268-72.
Birch-Machin MA, et al. Mapping of monilethrix to the type II keratin gene cluster at chromosome 12q13 in three new families, including one with variable expressivity. Br J Dermatol. 1997;137:339-43.
De Berker DA, et al. Monilethrix: a clinicopathological illustration of a cortical defect. Br J Dermatol. 1993;128:327-31.
De Berker DA, et al. Monilethrix treated with oral retinoids. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1991;16:226-8.
Ito M, et al. Pathogenesis of monilethrix: computer stereography and electron microscopy. J Invest Dermatol. 1990;95:186-94.
Schaap T, et al. The genetic analysis of monilethrix in a large inbred kindred. Am J Med Genet. 1982;11:469-74.
Gummer CL, et al. Monilethrix: an electron microscopic and electron histochemical study. Br J Dermatol. 1981;105:529-41.
FROM THE INTERNET
McKusick VA, ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Baltimore. MD: The Johns Hopkins University; Entry No:158000; Last Update:9/1/1998. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=158000 Accessed on: August 10, 2004.
Alexiewicz-Slowinska G. Monilethrix. Emedicine. Available at: https://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic763.htm Accessed on: August 10, 2004.
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The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
View reportOnline Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM) has a summary of published research about this condition and includes references from the medical literature. The summary contains medical and scientific terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. OMIM is authored and edited at the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
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