Sabinas brittle hair syndrome

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Sabinas brittle hair syndrome
Autosomal recessive - en.svg
Sabinas brittle hair syndrome has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.

Sabinas brittle hair syndrome, also called Sabinas syndrome or brittle hair-mental deficit syndrome, is an autosomal recessive [1] congenital disorder affecting the integumentary system.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms include brittle hair, mild mental retardation and nail dysplasia. The syndrome was first observed in Sabinas, a small community in northern Mexico.

The principal biochemical features of the illness are reduced hair cystine levels, increased copper/zinc ratio, and presence of arginosuccinic acid in the blood and urine. [2]

The key finding is brittle hair with low sulfur content, but alternating dark and light bands under polarizing microscopy, trichoschisis, and absent or defective cuticle are additional important clues for the diagnosis of trichothiodystrophy. Review of literature reveals extensive associated findings in trichothiodystrophy. Amino acid analyses of control hair when compared with those of patients with the Sabinas syndrome showed very striking differences with regard to content of sulphur amino acids. As in previous descriptions of amino acid abnormalities in the trichorrhexis nodosa of arginosuccinicaciduria, there were increases in lysine, aspartic acid, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, and tyrosine.

Trichothiodystrophy represents a central pathologic feature of a specific hair dysplasia associated with several disorders in organs derived from ectoderm and neuroectoderm. Trichothiodystrophy or TTD is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders, characterized by abnormally sulfur deficient brittle hair and accompanied by ichthyosis and other manifestations. Patients with trichothiodystrophy should have a thorough evaluation for other associated manifestations, including investigation of photosensitivity and DNA repair defects. Because the disease appears to be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, detection of low-sulfur brittle hair syndrome is also important for genetic counseling. [3]

Genetics

Sabinas brittle hair syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic trait. [1]

In a study by Howell et al. patients were located and studied by means of complete histories and physical examinations, analyses of serum trace metals, ceruloplasmin concentration, urine and serum amino acids, and routine metabolic urine screens. In addition, serum and urine luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) values were determined, and were interpreted in conjunction with total plasma estrogen, estradiol, and testosterone levels. Close examination demonstrated the scalp hairs were very brittle, coarse, wiry in texture, and broke off quite easily with mechanical trauma such as combing and brushing. Some hairs could be visualized in their follicles, which were broken off at the skin line. Most patients had accompanying hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin) of moderate degree on exposed surfaces. Maxillary hypoplasia (midfacial retrusion) was significant in many patients. The brittle, short hair, reduced eyelashes, crowded teeth, and dull appearance created a characteristic facial appearance. Post-pubertal patients had development of secondary sexual characteristics consistent with their age, except for sparse pubic escutcheons. All cases studied demonstrated some degree of mental deficiency; I.Q.'s ranged between 50 and 60. A deficiency in eye–hand coordination was also noted.

Diagnosis

The easiest way to test for this condition is through genetic testing. Several methods can be used for genetic testing that can help identity this condition, [4] [5]

Management

Although there has been no conclusive evidence on medications to manage the disorder, many organizations help with several aspects on living with the chronic condition, not only for the affected but also for the loved ones around them. With services like Global Genes helping contribute to this. [6]

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Trichothiodystrophy Medical condition

Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterised by brittle hair and intellectual impairment. The word breaks down into tricho – "hair", thio – "sulphur", and dystrophy – "wasting away" or literally "bad nourishment". TTD is associated with a range of symptoms connected with organs of the ectoderm and neuroectoderm. TTD may be subclassified into four syndromes: Approximately half of all patients with trichothiodystrophy have photosensitivity, which divides the classification into syndromes with or without photosensitivity; BIDS and PBIDS, and IBIDS and PIBIDS. Modern covering usage is TTD-P (photosensitive), and TTD.

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Progeroid syndromes (PS) are a group of rare genetic disorders that mimic physiological aging, making affected individuals appear to be older than they are. The term progeroid syndrome does not necessarily imply progeria, which is a specific type of progeroid syndrome.

References

  1. 1 2 Howell RR, Arbisser AI, Parsons DS, et al. (Nov 1981). "The Sabinas syndrome" (Free full text). Am. J. Hum. Genet. 33 (6): 957–967. PMC   1685163 . PMID   7325159.
  2. "Sabinas brittle hair syndrome - Conditions - GTR - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  3. "nutrition house Canada | Sabinas brittle hair and mental deficit syndrome". www.nutritionhouse.com. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  4. "BIDS brittle hair-impaired intellect-decreased fertility-short stature syndrome - Conditions - GTR - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  5. Reference, Genetics Home. "What is genetic testing?". Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  6. "Sabinas brittle hair syndrome". Global Genes. Retrieved 2019-12-05.

Further reading

Classification
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External resources