Overview
Self-improving collodion baby (SICB) is a rare skin condition that is present at birth. Babies with this condition are born wrapped in a tight, shiny, transparent membrane called a collodion membrane. This membrane looks like a layer of plastic wrap or dried varnish covering the entire body. The membrane can restrict movement, cause the eyelids and lips to turn outward, and make it hard for the baby to feed and regulate body temperature. What makes this condition different from other collodion baby presentations is that the skin dramatically improves on its own over the first weeks to months of life. After the membrane naturally sheds, the skin underneath gradually becomes normal or near-normal, with only mild dryness or very subtle scaling remaining in some cases. Unlike other forms of ichthyosis where the collodion membrane is the first sign of a lifelong severe skin disorder, self-improving collodion baby has an excellent long-term outlook. Treatment in the newborn period focuses on supportive care, including keeping the skin moist, preventing infection, maintaining body temperature, and ensuring proper nutrition. Once the membrane has shed and the skin has improved, most children require only basic skin moisturizing. Genetic counseling is recommended for affected families.
Key symptoms:
Tight shiny membrane covering the body at birthRestricted movement of arms and legs due to the membraneEyelids turned outward (ectropion)Lips turned outward (eclabium)Difficulty feeding as a newbornProblems regulating body temperatureRisk of skin infections in the newborn periodCracking and peeling of the membrane over days to weeksMild skin dryness after the membrane shedsSubtle skin scaling that improves over time
Clinical phenotype terms (2)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal recessive
Passed on when both parents carry the same gene change; often skips generations
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Self-improving collodion baby.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Self-improving collodion baby.
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 Self-improving collodion baby.
Community
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Disease timeline:
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A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Self-improving collodion baby
Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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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.How can you tell if my baby has the self-improving type versus a more severe form of ichthyosis?,Should we pursue genetic testing, and how long will results take?,What signs of complications should I watch for while my baby is in the NICU?,What skin care routine should I follow after my baby comes home from the hospital?,Will my baby have any long-term skin problems or other health issues?,What are the chances of having another baby with this condition in a future pregnancy?,Are there any specialists we should see for follow-up after leaving the hospital?
Common questions about Self-improving collodion baby
What is Self-improving collodion baby?
Self-improving collodion baby (SICB) is a rare skin condition that is present at birth. Babies with this condition are born wrapped in a tight, shiny, transparent membrane called a collodion membrane. This membrane looks like a layer of plastic wrap or dried varnish covering the entire body. The membrane can restrict movement, cause the eyelids and lips to turn outward, and make it hard for the baby to feed and regulate body temperature. What makes this condition different from other collodion baby presentations is that the skin dramatically improves on its own over the first weeks to months o
How is Self-improving collodion baby inherited?
Self-improving collodion baby follows a autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Self-improving collodion baby typically begin?
Typical onset of Self-improving collodion baby is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.