Study of some minerals in normal Egyptian scalp hair.

Scalp hair of 128 normal individuals of both sexes and of differing ages was examined for its mineral content by flame photometric and colorimetric procedures. The results obtained revealed that sodium and potassium may be considered as sex specific and of value as a medico-legal sign, while no marked difference was observed between male and female calcium content. The values of scalp hair copper were found to be slightly higher in females than in males. Similarly the mean value of scalp hair iron was found higher in females than in males, especially during the female reproductive period. Regarding the scalp hair phosphorus content, it has been found that a relationship between phosphorus and calcium does exist.