Short anagen syndrome

As the name suggests, short anagen syndrome is a condition where the anagen growth phase of hair follicles is shorter than normal (see the hair biology section for an explanation of the anagen hair growth and telogen rest cycle). This condition can produce two clinical results one or both of which may be present in the same individual.

Short anagen syndrome may mean that more hair follicles are in a telogen resting state. Because more hair follicles are in telogen there is an increased rate of hair shedding. The hair either falls out or is pulled out during general washing, combing, and other general hair care. Alternatively, there is may be little or no increase in the number of hair follicles in telogen, but due to the brief anagen growth phase the hair fiber that is produced is very short.

The typical anagen growth duration of a scalp hair follicle is between six and ten years. Because the time period for growth is so long we can grow long scalp hair - or have to get it cut regularly. A reduced anagen growth time period over which the hair follicles are actually growing means that hair cannot grow long. People with short anagen syndrome find that they almost never have to have their hair cut. The hair grows to a short length and then falls out. People with short anagen syndrome are lucky if their scalp hair reaches collar length. Short anagen syndrome may be one mechanism behind the condition "chronic telogen effluvium" and it may also be associated with "loose anagen syndrome".

Short anagen syndrome references

• Barraud-Klenovsek MM, Trueb RM. Congenital hypotrichosis due to short anagen. Br J Dermatol. 2000 Sep;143(3):612-7.
• Berth-Jones J, Hutchinson PE. Novel cycle changes in scalp hair are caused by etretinate therapy. Br J Dermatol. 1995 Mar;132(3):367-75.
• Courtois M, Loussouarn G, Hourseau C, Grollier JF. Hair cycle and alopecia. Skin Pharmacol. 1994;7(1-2):84-9.
• Headington JT. Telogen effluvium. New concepts and review. Arch Dermatol. 1993 Mar;129(3):356-63.
• Courtois M, Loussouarn G, Hourseau S, Grollier JF. Periodicity in the growth and shedding of hair. Br J Dermatol. 1996 Jan;134(1):47-54.
• Courtois M, Loussouarn G, Hourseau C, Grollier JF. Ageing and hair cycles. Br J Dermatol. 1995 Jan;132(1):86-93.
• Baden HP, Kvedar JC, Magro CM. Loose anagen hair as a cause of hereditary hair loss in children. Arch Dermatol. 1992 Oct;128(10):1349-53.
• Price VH, Gummer CL. Loose anagen syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989 Feb;20(2 Pt 1):249-56.
• Guarrera M, Cipriani C, Rebora A. Delayed telogen replacement in a boy's scalp. Dermatology. 1998;197(4):335-7.
• Kersey PJ. Tricho-dental syndrome: a disorder with a short hair cycle. Br J Dermatol. 1987 Feb;116(2):259-63.