Collodion baby with ectropion in a Syrian newborn: a case report study

Collodion baby is a rare congenital disorder and a very intense disorder in which the baby suffers from several complications, such as trans-epidermal water loss. Only ∼270 cases of collodion babies have been reported in the literature since 1892. This disease may later develop one of a spectrum of diseases including lamellar ichthyosis, which the patient may had Congenital lamellar ichthyosis with ectropion, which was clinically distinguished by the collodion baby phenotype at birth.

The authors are reporting the first case in Syria, a 20-day-old white Syrian male newborn, vaginally delivered at 38 weeks of pregnancy, with normal conditions, and congenital lamellar ichthyosis was shown by physical examination, as parchment-like scales were covering the newborn's skin, which was starting to detach and showing the "collodion baby" appearance. Ophthalmologic examination revealed a bilateral ectropion of the upper eyelids with tarsal eversion. A treatment of Tobramycin 0.3% eye ointment was prescribed four times a day, with a viscotears liquid gel eye drops 4 times a day, and vaseline petroleum jelly to be applied three times daily. At 2-month follow-up, a significant improvement was noted.

Ichthyosis have a wide range of disorders that involve the skin and have inherited and acquired forms. As a result, keratolytic and systemic retinoids can have significant benefits in restoring skin function.