Hair as a Biopsy Material

Abstract

The medical examination of human hair has included chemical analysis and studies of distribution, growth rate, morphological characteristics, and physical properties; examiners hope to observe departures from normal that will be useful in diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment. Most analysts have measured metallic elements with the hope of early diagnosis of nutritional deficiency; others have hopes of elucidating pathophysiology. Some analysts have measured metals and nonmetals that they hope to be of assistance in toxicology and/or forensic medicine. Members of the first transition series of elements (eg, chromium, copper, and zinc) have received the most study; less work has been done on the alkali metals (eg, sodium and potassium), alkaline earths (eg, magnesium and calcium), or other metallic elements. Some of the interest in analysis of hair arises from the ease of sample collection and the apparent stability of the samples. The function and chemical form of the elements in hair