Short anagen syndrome successfully controlled with topical minoxidil and systemic cyclosporine A combination therapy

Short anagen syndrome: A case series and algorithm for diagnosis

BACKGROUND

The short anagen syndrome (SAS) is a rare idiopathic pediatric disorder characterized by the short duration of the anagen phase. SAS mainly affects Caucasian children. Parents complain of their child's inability to grow long hair. Topical minoxidil may be an effective treatment for SAS; however, a slow spontaneous improvement is typical.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to collect data on out cases of SAS and create an algorithm to facilitate diagnosis of SAS.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 25 patients with SAS was performed within the Dermatology Department of the University of Bologna. We collected data regarding symptoms, pull test, hair card test, trichoscopy, trichogram, treatments, including biotin and minoxidil, and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Characteristic findings included parental reporting that the hair had not required a haircut, hair card test showing hairs with conical-shaped tips, and hair shafts of different diameters, with more 10%-20% of hair shafts less than 60 μm thick on trichoscopy. Trichogram revealed an increased percentage of telogen hair with normal hair shafts and tapering ends. The mean anagen-to-telogen ratio was 66:34 (normal ratio 90:10).

CONCLUSION

We developed an algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis of this rare hair disease using clinical examination and invasive and non-invasive testing to differentiate SAS from other forms of pediatric alopecia. In conclusion, the collected data of the therapy showed that biotin alone or in combination with topical minoxidil is an effective treatment for SAS.

Short anagen syndrome: Case series and literature review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Short anagen syndrome is a hair cycle disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood and characterized by short hair length due to short duration of the anagen phase. The objective was to review the presentation and demographic characteristics of short anagen syndrome and compare them with the most common differential diagnosis, loose anagen syndrome.

METHODS

A retrospective review of eight children with short anagen syndrome was performed at the University of Miami Outpatient Dermatology Clinic.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of short anagen syndrome was confirmed according to clinical findings and characteristic short telogen hairs with pointed tips on the hair pull test.

CONCLUSION

This is the largest reported clinical series of short anagen syndrome thus far in the literature.

Short anagen hair syndrome

Short anagen syndrome (SAS) is a condition in which hair does not grow long. It usually perceived by parents in children around 2-4 years of age. It is a benign disease of the hair cycle. The condition is relevant from the standpoint of differential diagnosis with loose anagen syndrome. We report a case of SAS in a Hispanic 3-year-old girl.