Foetal steroid sulphatase deficiency. A case report.

A normal healthy male infant was delivered by caesarian section because of low maternal urinary oestrogen excretion. Postnatal follow up showed that the child developed ichthyosis and that there was a family history of x-linked recessive ichthyosis. It is suggested that unexplained low urinary oestrogens should prompt enquiry about a family history of 'dry skin'.