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Ichthyosis

What are the causes?

The cause of inherited ichthyosis may be due to an abnormal protein in the skin (one of the keratins) or due to an abnormality of lipids, which act as a 'cement' in the skin. In some of the disorders the basic abnormality is recognised, but in others it is unknown. Hopefully, through research, we will understand more about these disorders with the development of more specific treatments and better prenatal diagnosis by molecular genetic testing.

View What are the symptoms? What are the symptoms?  |  Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis View Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis

Medical text written December 1997 by Professor J Harper, Consultant In Paediatric Dermatology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London UK. Last updated July 2003 by Dr D Paige, Consultant in Dermatology, Royal London Hospital, London, UK.

 

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