Doctors confirm collodion baby syndrome in Rewa infant; child under intensive care amid high infection risk.
Madhya Pradesh, July 25, 2025
A newborn baby in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India, has shocked doctors and local people when the baby was born with an extremely rare genetic skin disorder that gave the baby an unusual and “alien-like” appearance. The baby was born at a community health center on Wednesday and was diagnosed as a “Collodion Baby” – a type of skin disorder in which the baby has tight, white, and cracked skin with the appearance of a waxy or leathery membrane stretched over its body.
The experts at Gandhi Memorial Hospital confirmed the diagnosis, indicating the baby’s facial features were visibly misshaped, and the skin barrier was greatly compromised and would pose a high risk for infection. According to Pediatrician Dr. Karan Joshi, this condition is very rare and typically only 2-3 cases are reported in India on a yearly basis.
The baby is now being kept in an intensive care unit, provided with oxygen support and more specialized dermatological treatment to manage the fragile skin to prevent sepsis or dehydration. Dr. Joshi explained that while the condition may be sometimes due to a mutation of unknown significance; in some cases it occurs spontaneously, and may be handled with timely care.
As a rare occurrence, this situation illustrates the necessity for awareness and headquarters regarding uncommon genetic disorders in rural healthcare systems. The medical authorities have communicated that the baby is being cared for and the family is being supported.
