Excessive Hair Growth in Children

In the womb, most of our bodies are covered in fine, translucent hair, called lanugo hair. This hair is generally shed at about the eighth month of gestation. Very rarely, a baby is born with excessive hair in areas of the body that will continue to grow.

About

Excessive hair growth is called hypertrichosis and can be seen most commonly in adults and is rarely seen in children. The condition can be acquired later in life, or it can be congenital, which means it was present at birth.

Facts

Excessive hair growth can be localized or appear all over the body. While it is not accompanied by any additional symptoms, there is a common occurrence of tooth problems in children with this disorder.

Types

There are two types of congenital hypertrichosis: Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa, in which the lanugo hairs that cover us in the womb do not fall out and continue to grow after birth; and Congenital Hypertrichosis Terminalis, in which the hair is full pigment, unlike lanugo, and covers the entire body.

Causes

The cause of congenital hypertrichosis is unknown. It is thought to be hereditary or caused by spontaneous mutation in the womb.

Treatment

The only treatment available is hair removal. Examples include shaving, chemicals (like waxing), electrolysis or thermolysis. Treatments must be done repeatedly, as the hair will grow back.

References

• Pediatric Care Online: Hirsutism, Hypertrichosis, and Precocious Sexual Hair Development
• Hypertrichosis: Pediactric Hypertrichosis