Unveiling collodion baby: confronting ectropion and respiratory drama in neonatal care

A neonate presented to us with respiratory distress with diffuse involvement of skin with thickening, cracking and peeling since birth with severe ectropion and eclabium. The hospital course was complicated by polymicrobial sepsis requiring prolonged antibiotics and antifungals. The skin lesions were treated with acitretin, humidification and topical emollients. With the improvement of pneumonia and clearing of nasal debris, the neonate could be gradually weaned off respiratory support. Despite a stormy course, there was marked improvement in all skin lesions including ectropion and eclabium at discharge. This case highlights and discusses the challenges in diagnosis and underscores the need for multidisciplinary involvement of neonatology, dermatology and ophthalmology for a neonate with collodion baby syndrome.