Fingernails and toenails

[Monsheldon]

Not sure where this question fits in - I have an 8 year old whose fingernails and toenails don't grow.  I think I've had to cut them maybe three times his whole life.  Everything else grows normally - his hair, his body (he's tall for his age)...Not sure if this is something to worry about.  Thanks for any input.

[Monsheldon]

Thanks for your reply!  I'm sure he's not biting - I've never seen him bite his nails (he's 8.5 yrs. old), his nails are even and have no bite/tear ridges, and his toes don't grow either, and he's not flexible enough to get to all his toes.  I've asked him if he bites or picks at them and he says no.  So def. no biting, they simply don't grow.  It's weird.  

[smjmekg]

Are you sure they don't grow or does he bite them maybe? My son will be 2 in July and I rarely have to cut his nails, I think while he's playing they may break or get snagged on something and tear off, just like what may happen to an adult, when he was younger I had to cut them, or at least I did to make sure they didn't get long.