collodion baby

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • this term is used to describe the appearance of the skin in a neonate who has, in the vast majority of cases, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma

  • the skin of the neonate is a yellow, tight, shiny film that resembles dried collodion or sausage skin

  • the membrane dries and peels during the first days of life, and is generally completely shed within a few weeks

  • in about 10% of cases, collodion babies subsequently have normal skin

Reference:

  • (1) Prescriber (2000), 11 (20), 97-101.