Overview
Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH) is a rare inherited condition that affects hair growth. It is also sometimes called Marie Unna hypotrichosis or hereditary hypotrichosis Marie Unna type. The condition causes unusual hair patterns that change over a person's lifetime in a very specific way. Babies are often born with little or no hair, or sometimes with coarse, wiry hair that looks unusual. During early childhood, hair may actually grow back and appear somewhat normal, but then — usually during or after puberty — hair loss begins again and becomes permanent. This second phase of hair loss tends to affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. The hair loss in MUHH is not caused by inflammation or scarring in the way some other hair loss conditions are, though over time the hair follicles can become permanently damaged. The condition does not affect intelligence, organ function, or overall health — it is primarily a cosmetic and emotional concern. There is no cure at this time, and treatment focuses on managing the appearance of hair loss. Options include wigs, hairpieces, and cosmetic approaches. Because the condition is rare and mainly affects appearance, research into targeted therapies is limited, but genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis and help families understand the risk of passing it on to children.
Key symptoms:
Little or no hair at birth, or coarse and wiry hair in infancyTemporary improvement in hair growth during early childhoodProgressive hair loss starting around pubertyThinning or complete loss of scalp hair in adulthoodLoss or thinning of eyebrowsLoss or thinning of eyelashesReduced or absent body hairCoarse or twisted hair texture when hair is presentHair that breaks easily or grows slowlyPermanent hair follicle damage over time
Clinical phenotype terms (5)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Can genetic testing confirm the diagnosis for me and my family, and which genes should be tested?,What is the likely pattern of hair loss for my child or for me as the condition progresses?,Are there any treatments — even experimental ones — that might slow or reduce hair loss?,What cosmetic options do you recommend, and can any of these be covered by insurance?,Should other family members be tested, and what does this diagnosis mean for my children's risk?,Can you refer me to a psychologist or support group who has experience with hair loss conditions?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I should know about?
Common questions about Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis
What is Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis?
Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH) is a rare inherited condition that affects hair growth. It is also sometimes called Marie Unna hypotrichosis or hereditary hypotrichosis Marie Unna type. The condition causes unusual hair patterns that change over a person's lifetime in a very specific way. Babies are often born with little or no hair, or sometimes with coarse, wiry hair that looks unusual. During early childhood, hair may actually grow back and appear somewhat normal, but then — usually during or after puberty — hair loss begins again and becomes permanent. This second phase of hair
How is Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis inherited?
Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.