Pediatric Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a congenital (present at birth) condition that causes a variety of typically mild complications.

What is Pediatric Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia?

A child with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia usually has trouble regulating their body temperature, is missing teeth and has fine, thin hair. Children with this hereditary (passed down in families) condition also have a distinctive facial appearance. Despite these differences, people with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia typically have normal intelligence and development, and no major problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia?

Signs and symptoms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia include:

  • Chronic respiratory illness
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Dark circles around a child’s eyes
  • Depressed nose
  • Dry eyes
  • Dry mouth and nasal passages
  • Eczema (very dry, scaly skin)
  • Hypodontia (missing teeth)
  • Hypotrichosis (fine, sparse hair)
  • Skin that peels unusually
  • Small, narrow jawline
  • Small, pointy teeth
  • Hypohidrosis (trouble sweating to cool down the body)
  • Teeth that are slow to erupt (emerge through the gum)
  • Trouble regulating body temperature (can lead to being irritable in warm environments or unexplained fevers)

What are the causes of Pediatric Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia?

A gene mutation causes hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and it is passed down in families (hereditary).