Hair-raising breakthrough

THERE may soon be a genetic test for a bizarre condition that makes babies’ hair stand on end.

‘Uncombable hair syndrome’ happens when hair grows bent and tends to disappear by adulthood.

Now scientists at Bonn University in Germany have identified the source of the problem after taking DNA from 107 affected children.

The cause is a mutation in a gene called PAD13, which produces an enzyme to help to create a protein.

The research’s lead author Buket Masmanav said the findings can be used to develop a genetic test to ‘reassure parents’ that the problem doesn’t signal a serious condition.