Hair growth in kwashiorkor.

Abstract

The hair shaft is a dead structure composed of proteins. It is formed from cells which are genera- ted in the matrix of the hair bulb and move towards the skin surface. As the cells of the hair cortex migrate from the matrix to the fully keratinized region of the hair they rapidly synthesize and accumulate proteins Any factor that depresses the rate at which cells in general synthesize proteins could produce changes in hair growth by lowering the mitotic rate of cells in the hair matrix, and by reducing the amount of protein accumulated in the cortical cells. A survey of 100 patients in a hospital in Britain showed that illness-especially haemorrhage from a peptic ulcer-can be associated with a reduction of hair shaft diameter