Nutrition-related hair signs in Zairian preschool children and associations with anthropometry.

To assess prevalence of hair dyspigmentation, decurling, thinness and frailty, a random sample of more than 4,000 preschoolers, representative for a large area in Northern Zaire, was examined clinically and anthropometrically. Isolated dyspigmentation, isolated thinness and the combination of both were the most frequent signs (> 5%). Prevalence of hair signs did not differ according to sex or season. Peak prevalence was found between ages 6 and 18 months, suggesting a relationship with weaning. Most hair signs, studied separately or as combinations, increased gradually with lowering weight-for-age (WFA) or weight-for-height but not with height-for-age. Isolated dyspigmentation, however, was unrelated to WFA or marasmus. All signs occurred also in children with 'normal' WFA (SD > -2). In these children, hair signs were associated with the presence of clinical muscle wasting.