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Ency. home > Disease > M > Menkes syndrome

Menkes syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Steely hair disease; Menkes kinky hair syndrome; Kinky hair disease

Definition:

An inherited disorder that results in problems in multiple parts of the body due to cells not having enough copper. 

Causes and Risks

Menkes syndrome is inherited as an X-linked recessive disorder. The disorder is related to deficient levels of copper availability to cells. Symptoms include progressive mental deterioration, kinked, twisted and brittle hair, as well as skeletal changes. Death usually occurs in the first few years of life.  About 1 in 300,000 individuals are affected.

Ency. home > Disease > M > Menkes syndrome

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