Monilethrix: A Rare Hereditary Condition
A 13-year-old boy, born to second degree consanguineous parents, had brownish scanty hair since early childhood. His younger brother aged 10 years also had sparse hair over the scalp []. Child was apparently normal till 1½ years of age, after which density of hair reduced from occipital and temporal regions and later over the entire scalp. On examination, the scalp hair was light brown, sparse, and appeared rough. Keratotic papules were seen over scalp. Very few vellus hairs were seen over the body. Diagnosis was confirmed by light microscopy, which showed beaded appearance of hair with nodes and internodes [].\nAfter counseling, Tab. N-acetylcysteine 600 mg three times daily was given for 6 months. Minimum re-growth of hair was seen after 2 months of treatment, but the hair densityremained status quo subsequently. The hair, which was initially light brown in color, however, became more hyperpigmented.