Menkes disease (MD) is an X-linked recessive disorder of copper deficiency caused by mutation of a copper-transporting P-type ATPase, resulting in dysfunction of copper-dependent enzymes. The patients with classical MD have severe developmental and neurological impairments due to subnormal amount of copper in the brain and a variety of symptoms such as connective tissue abnormalities, tortuosity of blood vessels and peculiar hair. Most of the classical MD patients die before the age of 3 years.
