CONGENITAL DEFECT OF THE SKIN IN A NEW-BORN INFANT

Abstract

The occurrence of multiple areas of defect in the skin of a newborn infant always attracts medical attention. Rather numerous reports¹in the recent literature serve to enhance this interest, and the bizarre results of some unknown process affecting the cutaneous areas serve also to elicit considerable discussion as to causation. Lundwahl²has reviewed the several theories concerning etiology in a complete manner. Abt,³in 1917, in the most thorough report, collected thirty-six cases from the literature. According to him, rupture of inflammatory adhesions between the external layers of the skin and the amnion, the so-called Simonart ligaments or bands, could give rise to the congenital defects. Greig⁴stated the belief that it is more probable that the congenital defects arise from an arrest of development than, as has been reported, from the amniotic adhesions of the fetus. More numerously reported as involving the head, especially