Congenital atrichia with papular lesions: a rare cause of irreversible childhood alopecia

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2018 Mar;27(1):35-36.

Abstract

Congenital atrichia with papular lesions (APL) is a disease characterized by the complete absence of hair from the whole body occurring within a few months of birth and the presence of papules distributed over the body. A 9-year-old boy presented with sparse hair over his body and with a history of losing his hair soon after birth. Multiple skin-colored papules were observed over the scalp. A biopsy from a papule showed keratinous cysts in the dermis and the absence of hair follicles. A diagnosis of congenital APL was made after vitamin D-dependent rickets was excluded. This case highlights congenital APL as a cause of total alopecia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / complications
  • Alopecia / congenital
  • Alopecia / etiology*
  • Alopecia / pathology
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Child
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hair Follicle / abnormalities*
  • Hair Follicle / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Rare Diseases
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / complications*
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / congenital*
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / pathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Atrichia with Papular Lesions