Leukonychia associated with hereditary syndromes

Leukonychia is the appearance of white areas on the nail plates. This type of onychodystrophy has different anatomical and morphological types and can be caused by a number of both exogenous and endogenous factors. Diagnosis of leukonychia as a clinical symptom of nail damage is not difficult. However, in some cases, the presence of a patient with nail damage of the leukonychia type requires closer attention. If acquired leukonychia is most often the result of mechanical damage to the nail matrix, then congenital leukonychia, in addition to the idiopathic course, can be one of the signs of severe hereditary pathology. Congenital leukonychia can be part of various hereditary diseases and syndromes, being either one of the signs or an obligatory component of the disease. Despite the asymptomatic course and the absence of risk to life compared to other clinical manifestations of hereditary syndromes and diseases, the diagnosis of leukonychia can help doctors of various specialties to identify the syndromic nature of this disorder with the subsequent organization of a diagnostic search for other components of the suspected disease. This issue is especially important in the context of interdisciplinary interaction of doctors of various specialties, especially in cases of difficulties in diagnosis. This article examines hereditary diseases and syndromes characterized by the presence of leukonychia in patients, provides brief information on the etiopathogenesis and clinical picture of these disorders.