Short anagen syndrome

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Short anagen syndrome
Specialty Dermatology

Short anagen syndrome is a condition where hair does not grow beyond a short length, due to an unusually short duration of active hair growth (anagen phase). [1] Most cases are associated with fine blond hair. [2]

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Short anagen syndrome appears as sporadic short hair, frequently with low hair density and no obvious alopecia patches. [3] Oftentimes, parents worry that their child never needs a haircut or that their hair never gets long. [4] The anagen phase lasts for only four to ten months. [5] The hair cycle synchronizes when the anagen phase shortens, resulting in recurrent periods of severe hair loss. [1]

Causes

Although familial cases have been described, which may indicate an autosomal dominant inheritance, [6] the condition is congenital and is believed to be sporadic. [1]

Diagnosis

As of right now, short anagen syndrome lacks diagnostic standards. Nonetheless, the diagnosis might be supported by the following six key clinical features: [4]

  1. Other than its length, the hair shaft is normal. [4]
  2. Normal hair density. [4]
  3. Absence of fragility in hair. [4]
  4. When separating it from loose anagen syndrome or telogen effluvium, the hair pull test is frequently normal. [4]
  5. Normal physical exam (skin, teeth, and nails). [4]
  6. Average physical and mental growth. [4]

The diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic analysis of the hair, which displays short telogen hairs with tapering tips, indicating uncut hairs. [1]

Differential diagnosis for short hair consists primarily of loose anagen syndrome (LAS), congenital hypotrichosis, and hair shaft diseases. [5]

Treatment

Topical minoxidil is known to prolong the anagen phase, enhance hair length, and prevent telogen effluvium as a therapeutic intervention; nevertheless, therapy is debatable and may not be required, at least in young children. [7] [8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Giacomini, Federica; Starace, Michela; Tosti, Antonella (2011). "Short Anagen Syndrome". Pediatric Dermatology. 28 (2). Wiley: 133–134. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.2010.01165.x. ISSN   0736-8046. PMID   20553398.
  2. ↑ Avashia, N; Woolery-Lloyd H; Tosti A; Romanelli P (December 2010). "Short anagen syndrome in an African American woman". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 63 (6): 1092–3. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.10.019. PMID   20546972.
  3. ↑ Antaya, Richard J.; Sideridou, Eirini; Olsen, Elise A. (2005). "Short anagen syndrome". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 53 (2). Elsevier BV: S130 –S134. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2004.12.029. ISSN   0190-9622. PMID   16021162.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Yisheng, Wong; Peiqi, Su (August 2023). "Short Anagen Syndrome: A Hair Cycle Disorder Not To Be Forgotten". Asian Journal of Pediatric Dermatology. 1 (1): 24. doi: 10.4103/3333-8888.384062 (inactive 12 July 2025). ISSN   2950-3515.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
  5. 1 2 Oberlin, Kate E.; Maddy, Austin J.; Martínez-Velasco, María Abril; Vázquez-Herrera, Norma Elizabeth; Schachner, Lawrence A.; Tosti, Antonella (2018). "Short anagen syndrome: Case series and literature review". Pediatric Dermatology. 35 (3): 388–391. doi:10.1111/pde.13478. ISSN   0736-8046. PMID   29582461.
  6. ↑ Barraud-Klenovsek, M.M.; Trüeb, R.M. (2000). "Congenital hypotrichosis due to short anagen". British Journal of Dermatology. 143 (3). Oxford University Press (OUP): 612–617. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2000.03720.x. ISSN   0007-0963. PMID   10971339.
  7. ↑ Cheng, Yu-Pin; Chen, Yu-Sheng; Lin, Sung-Jan; Hsiao, Cheng-Hsiang; Chiu, Hsien-Ching; Chan, Jung-Yi Lisa (2016-10-05). "Minoxidil improved hair density in an Asian girl with short anagen syndrome: a case report and review of literature". International Journal of Dermatology. 55 (11). Wiley: 1268–1271. doi:10.1111/ijd.12150. ISSN   0011-9059. PMID   27420346.
  8. ↑ JUNG, Hee Dam; KIM, Jung Eun; KANG, Hoon (2011-05-04). "Short anagen syndrome successfully controlled with topical minoxidil and systemic cyclosporine A combination therapy". The Journal of Dermatology. 38 (11). Wiley: 1108–1110. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2011.01222.x. ISSN   0385-2407. PMID   21545502.

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