Short Anagen Syndrome in an Indian Woman with its Impact on Quality-of-Life
An apparently healthy looking 30-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a short, spare, and pigmented hair, since birth, which never grew longer than nape of neck, apparently she never had a haircut. She is the 6th sibling of non-consanguineous parents. The pregnancy and the perinatal period had been uneventful. At birth she had a scanty faint color hair; otherwise, she was healthy and her development had been normal. No family history of the same condition was reported. Patient has been using a hair wig for last 18 years.\nOn examination, the maximum scalp hair length was 17 cm at frontal but most of hair showed average growth of 5-6 cm with decrease density, fine texture and was pigmented but no bald areas were seen []. Examination of the eyebrows, eyelashes, teeth, and nails was within normal limits. Hair pull test produced positive results. Microscopic examination of the hair shaft in the trichogram revealed increased numbers of telogen hairs with normal hair shaft and tapering ends indicating uncut hairs. The anagen to telogen ratio was significantly reduced (2:1/64:36) (as against 90:10 normally). After shaving a small area of the scalp and following up the growth rate of the shaved hair, it was found that the growth rate was 0.3 mm/day. Histologic examination of biopsy from the parietal region revealed sparse superficial perifollicular infiltrate and normal number of vellous and intermediate follicles. Intermediate hair follicles showed perifollicular fibroplasia []. Infundibula also showed trichomalacia. A standardized questioner dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was used to assess the impact of this condition on quality-of-life (QOL) of patient. A score of 6 indicated moderate effect on QOL. Leisure and personal relationship affection was more than 3 out of 6.