Baby inherits family's genetic streak of white hair

RIDGELAND, S.C., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- An 18-month-old girl from South Carolina has inherited her family's unique white hair birthmark, following three generations of women who have the trait.

MilliAnna represents the fourth generation of women in her family to have the shock of white hair.

MilliAnna's mother, Brianna Worthy, also has the bright white patch on the front of her head. Worthy's mother and grandmother have the streak, too.

"We are unsure how far back the birthmark goes as my grandmother was adopted as a child and hasn't met her biological family," Worthy said.

The hereditary trait is caused by a condition called poliosis, or a lack of melanin in a hairy area.

"I was hoping she did have it," Worthy said. "My younger sister...didn't get it, so I didn't know if MilliAnna was going to, but once I had her and they laid her on my chest and I saw she had it, I was so happy."

Though Worthy was teased about the streak as a child, she has grown to embrace it and plans to raise MilliAnna the same way.

"I'm going to tell her, 'you're unique, you're pretty, you're beautiful," Worthy said.