Rare ‘collodion baby’ born without skin in central India
by Komal KashyapAn unusual alien-like baby was born without skin in central India’s Madhya Pradesh.
The incident took place at the MCH, Ratlam of the eponymous district on June 3.
Visuals showed a newborn lying on the bed. The body of the baby was very unusual. The child did not have skin on the body and the veins were prominently visible. The newborn’s eyes were red and different. The child did not have developed fingers in the limbs.
Speaking to Newslions, Dr. Naved Anjum Qureshi, in-charge of Special Newborn Care Units (SMCU), District Hospital Ratlam, said: “The baby was born on June 3 in the evening around 3:45 pm and weighed 2.2 kg.
“The gender of the newborn could not be determined because the genitals are still not developed. The baby is in a critical condition and currently placed in oxygen support,” he said.
Asked whether the baby has been operated upon, Dr. Qureshi said that it is not possible as the baby’s skin is sensitive and peeling after any kind of touch.
Explaining the possible origin of a collodion baby, he said that a problem in the genes may have played a part.
“The condition is called a genetic mutation. There has been no cure for this condition till date. Special care is being taken to keep the baby’s external body moist and hydrated,” the doctor added.
The baby’s mother has been identified as Sajida, a resident of Ratlam. The child took birth in the government hospital. The baby was immediately admitted to the SMCU as soon as it reached the hospital.
The doctor said that the condition is so rare that it affects about 1 out of 200000 children. About 20-25 percent of the babies suffering from this condition die within the first week of their birth.
“This is my third collodion-baby case in the last three years and none of them have survived. This is among the most critical cases as the skin peel is the fastest here. These are the abnormalities that we can see externally. There is a possibility that the baby may have internal abnormalities,” the doctor concluded.