Congenital atrichia with nail dystrophy, abnormal facies, and retarded psychomotor development in two siblings: a new autosomal recessive syndrome?

We cared for two sisters, ages 3 and 4 years, who suffered from congenital atrichia. Scalp biopsies performed on both children revealed a marked atrophy of hair follicles with rudimentary hair shafts. The absence of peribulbar infiltrates ruled out alopecia areata. Dystrophy of all nails, distinctive facies, retarded psychomotor development, and a delay in speaking were additional symptoms. The unique combination of findings excludes well-established syndromes such as atrichia with papular lesions, GAPO syndrome, and dominant hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, as well as X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. We therefore conclude that we may be dealing with a new genetic entity. The occurrence of the disorder in two siblings with unaffected parents suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.