A Case Series of Aplasia Cutis Congenita and Its Management

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare condition characterized by a localized or widespread, complete or partial absence of skin at birth. In accordance with the pattern, location, underlying causes, and anomalies, Frieden divided aplasia cutis congenita into nine types. Approximately 80% of all lesions are found on the scalp. The purpose of this study is to describe uncommon instances of aplasia cutis congenita and how they are treated.

Our study comprises six patients with aplasia cutis congenita belonging to either sex who attended to our dermatology outpatient department at Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam during the 12-month study period from December 2023 to December 2024. This study was started after obtaining institutional ethical clearance. Patients with traumatic injuries were excluded from the study. All patients with congenital aplasia cutis were included in this study. All patients were treated with recombinant human platelet derived growth factor gel and hydrocolloid dressings for two weeks and a response was elicited.

We have encountered six newborns with aplasia cutis congenita in our study, out of which four (80%) were having aplasia cutis congenita of scalp (Group I) with no other congenital anomalies, fifth case (10%) was aplasia cutis congenita with epidermolysis bullosa and dystrophic nails (Group VI - Bart syndrome) and the sixth one (10%) had aplasia cutis congenita on lower extremities without epidermolysis bullosa (Group VII). One of the newborns was born to the mother who was taking methimazole in the first six weeks of gestation. Out of six, five babies had no consanguineous background, while one was born to parents with second-degree consanguinity. Most common site involved was the parietal region of the scalp (80%). The smallest lesion measured 0.5x0.5 cm, while the largest was 5x3x1 cm. All the lesions showed noticeable improvement after treatment with recombinant human platelet derived growth factor 0.01% gel twice daily along with hydrocolloid dressings for two weeks.

Aplasia cutis congenita, being a rare disorder with less incidence is clinically diagnosed and needs to be carefully evaluated for underlying etiologies alongside other congenital anomalies co-existing with it for better management. To conclude with, our study throws a light on conservative management of aplasia cutis congenita which gave promising results minimizing complications of surgical management.