Menkes syndrome

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Menkes syndrome

Definition:

Menkes syndrome is an inherited disorder that results in problems in multiple parts of the body due to cells not having enough copper.

Alternative Names:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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

Review Date: 4/20/2005
Reviewed By: Neal Sondheimer, M.D., PhD., Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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