(menkes disease) An X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene resulting in the abnormal transport and metabolism of copper. It affects primarily male infants. It is characterized by hypotonia, seizures, failure to thrive, and peculiar colorless or steel-colored brittle hair.

(menkes' syndrome) X-linked recessive abnormality in copper absorption marked by severe cerebral degeneration and arterial changes resulting in death in infancy and by sparse, brittle scalp hair.

An inherited disorder of copper metabolism transmitted as an X-linked trait and characterized by the infantile onset of HYPOTHERMIA, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, SEIZURES, bony deformities, pili torti (twisted hair), and severely impaired intellectual development. Defective copper transport across plasma and endoplasmic reticulum membranes results in copper being unavailable for the synthesis of several copper containing enzymes, including PROTEIN-LYSINE 6-OXIDASE; CERULOPLASMIN; and SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE. Pathologic changes include defects in arterial elastin, neuronal loss, and gliosis. (From Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p125)

Menkes disease, also known as kinky hair disease, is an X-linked neurodegenerative disease of impaired copper transport. Menkes et al first described it in 1962.

Menkes disease (MD) is an inherited condition that impacts the way the body processes copper levels in the body. MD primarily affects the nervous system and connective tissue with symptoms that tend to get worse over time. Symptoms of MD usually appear within the first few months of life and include sparse, kinky hair; slow growth...