Congenital nonbullous ichthyosiform erythroderma

What it means

The term collodion baby applies to newborns who appear to have an extra layer of skin (known as a collodion membrane) that has a collodion-like quality. It is a descriptive term, not a specific diagnosis or disorder (as such, it is a syndrome). Affected babies are born in a collodion membrane, a shiny waxy outer layer to the skin. This is shed 10-14 days after birth, revealing the main symptom of the disease, extensive scaling of the skin caused by hyperkeratosis. With increasing age, the scaling tends to be concentrated around joints in areas such as the groin, the armpits, the inside of the elbow and the neck. The scales often tile the skin and may resemble fish scales.

A collodion membrane is characterized by thick scaling of the skin, frequently associated with fissures and hyperkeratosis. Also, eclabium and ectropion are often seen, as are contractures of fingers and toes. A collodion membrane is mainly associated with underlying congenital ichthyosis (congenital epidermal differentiation disorders).

Rare diseases that can present with this7

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Collodion baby · Congenital lamellar ichthyosis · Congenital non-bullous ichthyosis · Ichthyosis lammellaris · Ichthyosis, congenital, nonblistering · Nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma · Nonbullous congenital ichthyosis