Overview
Erythroderma desquamativum, also known as Leiner's disease or Leiner-Moussous disease, is a rare and serious skin condition that mainly affects newborns and very young infants. The name describes what happens: 'erythroderma' means the entire skin turns red, and 'desquamativum' refers to heavy peeling or shedding of the skin. Babies with this condition develop widespread redness covering most or all of their body, along with thick, greasy scales that peel off in large sheets. The skin looks similar to severe seborrheic dermatitis (sometimes called 'cradle cap'), but it is much more extensive and serious. Beyond the skin, affected infants often experience diarrhea, failure to gain weight properly, and a weakened immune system that makes them vulnerable to serious infections. Some cases are linked to problems with the complement system, which is a part of the body's immune defenses. Because the skin barrier is so damaged, babies can lose fluids and proteins rapidly, which can become life-threatening. Treatment focuses on supporting the baby's nutrition, preventing and treating infections, and caring for the skin. With prompt and careful medical management, many infants improve over time, though the condition requires close monitoring in a hospital setting, especially in the early stages.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Widespread redness covering most or all of the skinThick, greasy, or waxy scales peeling from the skinSkin that sheds in large flakes or sheetsPersistent diarrheaPoor weight gain or failure to thriveFrequent or severe infectionsSwollen lymph nodesLow energy and poor feedingFluid loss through damaged skinIrritability and discomfort
Clinical phenotype terms (4)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventDavid Wilson — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Erythroderma desquamativum.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Erythroderma desquamativum at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Erythroderma desquamativum.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Erythroderma desquamativum.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Erythroderma desquamativum
Disease timeline:
New trial: A SMART Trial of Adaptive Exercises to Optimize Aerobic-Fitness Responses
Phase NA trial recruiting. Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)
New trial: A Study to Evaluate KarXT as a Treatment for Psychosis Associated With Alzheimer's Disease (ADEPT-4)
Phase PHASE3 trial recruiting. KarXT
New trial: First-in-Human Evaluation of an Astrocytic Glutamate Transporter (EAAT2) PET Tracer in Dementia
Phase PHASE1 trial recruiting. [18F]RP-115 PET/MRI or PET/CT and MRI
New trial: Developing an Artificial Intelligence System to Detect Cognitive Impairment
Phase NA trial recruiting.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is causing my baby's skin condition, and has an underlying immune problem been found?,What tests do you recommend to find the root cause, including genetic or immune testing?,What skin care routine should I follow at home, and which products are safe to use?,How will we know if my baby is getting better or worse, and what signs should prompt an emergency visit?,Does my baby need any special vaccinations or precautions to prevent infections?,Are there any specialists or centers with experience in this rare condition that you would recommend?,What is the long-term outlook for my baby, and will this condition affect their development?
Common questions about Erythroderma desquamativum
What is Erythroderma desquamativum?
Erythroderma desquamativum, also known as Leiner's disease or Leiner-Moussous disease, is a rare and serious skin condition that mainly affects newborns and very young infants. The name describes what happens: 'erythroderma' means the entire skin turns red, and 'desquamativum' refers to heavy peeling or shedding of the skin. Babies with this condition develop widespread redness covering most or all of their body, along with thick, greasy scales that peel off in large sheets. The skin looks similar to severe seborrheic dermatitis (sometimes called 'cradle cap'), but it is much more extensive an
At what age does Erythroderma desquamativum typically begin?
Typical onset of Erythroderma desquamativum is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Erythroderma desquamativum?
4 specialists and care centers treating Erythroderma desquamativum are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.