Progress of a harlequin fetus to nonbullous ichthyosiform erythroderma.

The term harlequin fetus is used to describe the most severe form of congenital ichthyosis. All except one previously reported patient died during the first few weeks of life. The development of one such fetus to the age of 2 years 6 months is reported, along with a photographic record of progress. Details of the progress of another harlequin fetus to 6 months of age are given. The clinical diagnosis of the former patient is nonbullous ichthyosiform erythroderma.