Living with T-cell immunodeficiency, congenital alopecia, and nail dystrophy
A rare inherited immune condition with no working T cells, plus hair missing from birth and abnormal nails.
Understanding T-cell immunodeficiency, congenital alopecia, and nail dystrophy
People lack working T cells, so they get repeated, lasting infections starting early in life, and these slow growth. They are born without scalp hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Nails are ridged, pitted, or curved. Brain and spinal cord differences have been described in at least two people.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Repeated infections
- Low T cell count
- No scalp hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes
- Ridged nails
- Pitted nails
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include allergy and immune system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in FOXN1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Immune Deficiency Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Allergy and immune system specialists (allergists / immunologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in the FOXN1 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.
Also known as: alopecia and t-cell immunodeficiency; alopecia immunodeficiency; alymphoid cystic thymic dysgenesis; congenital alopecia and nail dystrophy associated with severe functional t-cell immunodeficiency; congenital alopecia and nail dystrophy with severe functional t-cell immunodeficiency; foxn1 deficiency
Patient organizations
- Immune Deficiency FoundationPrimary immunodeficiency · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with T-cell immunodeficiency, congenital alopecia, and nail dystrophy.
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