Collodion baby syndrome: the definitive management

We report four cases of collodion baby managed by us in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a two year period. This condition is stated to be rare, the precise incidence is not known. It may be frequent in this part of Saudi Arabia, due to consanguineous marriages.' This hospital on average has 3000 deliveries per year. Early measures were taken to prevent dehydration, avoid infection and control temperature. Emollients in the form of propylene glycol in starch and vitamin A in zinc oxide cream were used successfully.