[Malignant keratoma].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Birth of an Harlequin fetus in an African maternity ward is an exceptional event. There is no question as to the diagnosis, but no treatment is available.

CASE REPORT:

A female infant was delivered with typical lesions of malignant keratoma. Death occurred 20 hours after birth.

DISCUSSION:

In countries with adequate intensive care facilities (hydration, acitretine), such infants may occasionally survive with the risk of developing major lamellar ichthyosis which remains a handicap for the rest of life. In Burkina-Faso, such therapeutic facilities are lacking as are means of antenatal diagnosis. The ethical question as to whether or not to attempt survival measures is quite different under these conditions.

• Authors: I Sanou, L K Kam, A Traoré, A S Sawadogo, I D Zongo, B Zeba, B D Benon
• Journal: Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie (Ann Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 123 Issue 3 Pg. 180-1 ( 1996) ISSN: 0151-9638 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Kératome malin.
• PMID: 8761779 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Burkina Faso
• Female
• Fetal Diseases
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Keratosis (congenital)
• Pregnancy