Human Development.

This article cites a study conducted by researcher David W. Smith and Bradley T. Gong at the University of Washington School of Medicine, revealing scalp hair patterning as a clue to early fetal brain development. Smith and Gong provide a relatively indelible historical record of growth and topography of the brain and upper face during the fetal period from about 10-16 weeks. In the study, hair patterns of 200 normal children were compared to those of 129 patients with various brain conditions. The researchers report that aberrant scalp hair patterns seen in patients with severe defects of early brain development that must have been present before hair follicle development conform with this theory. These patterns follow the presumed shape and size of the brain at the time of hair follicle downgrowth, an obvious sign that a serious defect in brain development occurred before 10-16 weeks gestation. The researchers said that this is especially true for patients with severe microcephaly.