Monilethrix is a rare congenital hair disorder characterized by fragile, beaded hair shafts due to mutations in various keratin or desmoglein 4 genes. A systematic review of 24 studies (16 pediatric only, 3 mixed adult and pediatric, 3 adult only, and 2 unspecified) evaluating various treatment modalities identified topical and oral minoxidil as the most effective therapies, while oral retinoids and other treatments showed variable efficacy. Further pediatric research and clinical studies are necessary to assess long-term treatment outcomes and explore novel therapeutic strategies for this challenging condition.
Keywords: hair shaft disorder; minoxidil therapy; monilethrix.
© 2025 The Author(s). Pediatric Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.