Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in Child
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Synopsis
Patients with HED have sparse, fragile hair in childhood and commonly progress to complete alopecia by their teenaged years. Eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic hair, and axillary hair can be affected as well. Hair shaft abnormalities such as trichorrhexis nodosa, pili bifurcati, pili torti, and longitudinal grooves have been reported. Fingernails and toenails appear milky white in infancy and gradually evolve into thickened, cone-shaped nails with distal onycholysis and an increased risk of paronychial infections in adulthood. Patients also frequently exhibit palmoplantar keratoderma, skin hyperpigmentation over the extensor surface of joints, and digital clubbing. In rare cases, patients with HED have been reported to have early-onset cataracts, sensorineural hearing loss, polydactyly / syndactyly, and eccrine syringofibroadenomas. In contrast to hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, patients with HED have normal dentition and the capacity to sweat.
HED is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the GJB6 gene, which encodes for the protein connexin 30, a key component of intercellular gap junctions. It is rare; the disease incidence has been estimated to be 1 in 100 000. HED has been reported in diverse populations worldwide but appears to have a higher prevalence in individuals of French-Canadian descent. Male and female patients are equally affected, but the clinical presentation of affected individuals can be highly variable. The life expectancy of affected individuals is normal.
Codes
ICD10CM:Q82.4 – Ectodermal dysplasia
SNOMEDCT:
54209007 – Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Pachyonychia congenita – Dystrophic nails with distal elevation of nail plate, usually affecting all 20 nails. Absence of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and hair changes differentiates this from HED.
- Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip and palate (AEC) syndrome
- Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome
- Howel-Evans syndrome – Palmoplantar keratoderma. Patients will lack the nail and hair changes.
- Vohwinkel syndrome
- Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome – Palmoplantar keratoderma with sparse hair as well as periodontitis and gingivitis. Patient will have normal nails.
- Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia – Sparse hair, hypodontia, facial dysmorphia, and significantly reduced sweat production. Usually no nail changes. The X-linked recessive mode of inheritance is a helpful way of differentiating this diagnosis from HED.
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Last Reviewed:10/16/2019
Last Updated:12/18/2022
Last Updated:12/18/2022
Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in Child