Expert: Florence M Rollwagen - 10/8/2008

Question
Hi there,
my question is about Albinism. i am an african lady. i am very light skinned and my hair is brown (not black. although its black in some places, its predominantly darkish brown). i am not sure if i have a form of albinism. my vision is perfect (20/20) my parents and siblings are dark-skinned and there are no albinos in my family as much as i know.
My question is regarding my second daughter. she was born about 3 weeks ago. she is very fair skinned and was born with jet-black hair. but after about 10 days her hair started turning brown. her eyebrow aalso started growing brown (and whitish hair). her side burns and facial hair is also white.her eyes seems ok.its the right color and they don't wander.

does she have albinism? why is her changing color, seeing that she was birn with black hair? what can i do to make her hair black again?

as an aside, my 1st daughter isdark haired and dark skinned like my husband. i only have 2 children.

Thanks a lot for your help.  

Answer
Hi Tosin:  Thanks for your question.  Skin color in humans is a very complex subject.  The density of melanin (skin pigment) is variable and controlled by several genes.  You mentioned that you are light skinned, how about the baby's father?  Does he have light skinned parents or grandparents?  If so, he may have inherited a recessive (silent) gene for light skin color.  This gene may have been inherited by your child.  

Here is a website on human skin color:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skin_color

As for her hair color, babies often change hair color.  Usually by age 1 they have a final color.

Albinism isn't the only pale skinned gene, skin color is very complex.  Usually albinos have pale eyes often blue.  In severe cases, eye color can be almost pink.  From what you say, I doubt she is an albino.  Are there any albinos in your family?   Or in the fathers's family?  It's an inherited trait, so she would get it from a parent or grandparent.

I hope this answer has helped you.  Please write back if you have more questions.

FM Rollwagen, PhD