Absence of male-pattern baldness in men with X-linked recessive ichthyosis? A hypothesis to be challenged.

X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XRI) is caused by a deficiency of steroid sulfatase. Because this enzyme plays an important role in androgen metabolism, we advance the hypothesis that men with XRI do not show androgenetic alopecia or develop only mild forms of this common type of hair loss. Clinical studies should show whether this hypothesis can be supported.