Chromosomal Syndromes With Abnormal Hair Growth

Chromosomal abnormalities cause various disorders. When autosomes, the 23 paired chromosomes are affected by anomalies, chromosomal syndromes result, some of which display abnormal hair growth.

Types of Chromosomal Abnormalities

• Abnormalities that occur in the chromosomes fit into several categories. Extra chromosomes may appear (trisomies); segments of chromosomes may inappropriately join with other chromosomes; deletions and duplications of chromosomes and their parts may occur; or the cells in the body may not have the same chromosomal makeup (mosaicism).

Down Syndrome

• Also known as trisomy 21, Down syndrome usually results from three copies of chromosome 21 present in all cells of the individual, instead of just two. A small percentage of DS cases result from mosaic trisomy 21, according to MedicineNet.com.

Alopecia Areata

• Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease consisting of well-defined bald patches on the scalp. According to DownSyndromeHealth.com, people with Down syndrome are more prone to autoimmune diseases and alopecia areata occurs in 5 to 9 percent of the Down syndrome population as opposed to 1 to 2 percent of the general population. A gene relevant to alopecia areata is found on chromosome 21.

Conditions That Affect Hair Growth

• People with Down syndrome have a predisposition to increased insulin resistance, according to eMedicine.com. This leads to chronic disorders such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome because the body's insulin hormone can't convert sugar from foods into energy.

Metabolic Syndrome

• Used interchangeably with insulin resistance or Syndrome X, metabolic syndrome affects hair growth. Early hair loss in men has long been suspected to have links with insulin resistance, according to StopHairLossNow.com. In 2000, research published in The Lancet medical journal confirmed a link with early development of premature androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).