congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is a rare condition in which the child is born with severe lanugo. The entire skin, except for the palms, soles and prepuce, is covered with long, silky hair of a silvery grey or pale yellow colour, up to 25 cm in length in places.

The condition has an autosomal dominant inheritance and may be associated with dental defects.

Clinically, the condition may fluctuate during childhood, but the affected person may retain the lanugo character of hair even after puberty (1)

Reference:

• 1. Mendiratta V, Harjai B, Gupta T. Hypertrichosis lanuginosa congenita. Pediatr Dermatol. 2008;25(4):483-4