Clinical and biochemical aspects of trichopoliodystrophy

The clinical and biochemical evaluation of 6 patients with trichopoliodystrophy indicates that the disease process can begin in utero and is related to a selective abnormality in copper metabolism. Examination of 2 infants on the first day of life revealed abnormal neurological signs, a characteristic hair abnormality, and elevated levels of copper and ceruloplasmin. Decreased hepatic copper levels and increased urinary copper excretion were documented during the first week. The 2 neonates demonstrated a progressive decrease in blood copper levels in the first month of life. Four infants identified at ages 2 to 11 months had low values for blood copper and ceruloplasmin. All infants had progressive neurological dysfunction, and 4 of the 6 died at ages ranging from 2 1/2 months to 5 1/2 years. Parenteral copper therapy achieved normal blood and hepatic copper levels in 1 patient, but the copper values in the cerebral cortex and white matter were significantly decreased compared to control specimens.