WNT10A gene variants found in Short Anagen Syndrome

NEW DATA POINTS TO WNT10A GENE VARIANTS IN SHORT ANAGEN SYNDROME (SAS)

Short anagen syndrome was first described in 1991.

Individuals with short anagen syndrome can’t grow long hair. The anagen phase is short ( 9-20 months instead of 6-7 years) and patients can only produce short hair (typically under 6 cm). Patients often come to medical attention around age 2-4 when parent report that their child has never needed a hair cut and tend to be shedding more than what they expect.Parents report “the hair just won’t grow!” or report “she’s never needed a haircut!”

Examination of the hair shows short hair with tapered ends indicating that the hair has not been cut.

SAS It is more commonly noted in white girls with blonde hair but other hair colors and other racial backgrounds have been reported too. This includes thee white children with brown hair, an African American patients and a Hispanic patient.

The condition has been reported to be inherited in an autosomal dominant manner in some families although sporadic inheritance has been suggested. The condition may improve to some degree after puberty - in some but not all individuals.

Many children with SAS are healthy. Associations have been reproted with micronychia and tricho-dental syndrome.

Cesarato  N et al 2023: WNT10A Variants in SAS

A recent study examined possible genetic variants responsible for short anagen syndrome and found that 20 of the 48 individuals (40%) have genetic variations in WNT10A.

Interestingly genetic variations in WNT10A were also found in some patients with male pattern hair loss suggesting some type of overlap.

MAIN REFERENCE

Cesarato  N et al. Short anagen hair syndrome: association with mono- and biallelic variants in WNT10A and a genetic overlap with male pattern hair loss. Br J Dermatol. 2023 Nov 16;189(6):741-749.

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