Ann Dermatol Vener
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Reassessment of a previously published case report allowed correction of a misdiagnosis: a neonatal aspect of collodion baby with pilar dystrophy is evocative of trichothiodystrophy and not Netherton syndrome. Other than this published erroneous case report, there have been no other publications concerning Netherton syndrome mentioning this neonatal collodion baby status. It may be clearly stated that Netherton syndrome never begins with collodion baby status. ⋯ The state of baby collodion may or may not herald trichothiodystrophia. A review of 72 articles containing a clinical description of signs at the onset of trichothiodystrophy showed a relationship in 22 cases between this condition and collodion baby syndrome. The collodion baby phenotype is of moderate intensity with little or no facial dysmorphia. Microscopic examination of hair is alone able to orient diagnosis towards trichothiodystrophy. Microscopic examination of the hair with inspection under polarised light is essential to confirm an aetiological diagnosis of collodion baby. Collodion baby syndrome never leads to Netherton syndrome. In some cases, however, it may herald trichothiodystrophy.