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BPSU study - Congenital ichthyosis

This two year, prospective BPSU study investigates the incidence, early management and outcomes at 12 months, of babies born with harlequin ichthyosis (HI) or collodion membrane (CM) born between 1 November 2018 and 31 October 2020. These are rare genetic conditions characterised by thick, tight scaly skin and significant neonatal mortality.

Lead investigator

Dr Fozia Roked
Dermatology Department
Birmingham Children's Hospital
Steelhouse Lane
Birmingham B4 6NH

·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô:Ìýbwc.bchscinstudy@nhs.net

»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË the study

Ichthyosis is a group of skin disorders with abnormally thick, scaly skin. It affects the whole body. Some types of ichthyosis are more severe than others. The most severe type is called harlequin ichthyosis (HI) where thick scales (plaques) encase the baby, causing problems with breathing, feeding, movement, eye closure and temperature control. Without special care babies with HI sometimes die at birthbut may survive with modern treatments. Babies with other severe types are born with a collodion membrane (a shiny film of skin) where the skin is tight but less rigid. Both types improve with time, but some degree of ichthyosis usually remains.Ìý

Ichthyosis is caused by an error in genes that control skin development. It can run in families, though some babies are born into families with no history of ichthyosis.Ìý

The number of babies born with harlequin ichthyoses or collodion membrane is extremely low, but we do not know exactly how many there are as we think some cases are not recognised. There is no proven correct treatment so practice varies. Some babies are kept in the neonatal intensive care unit for weeks whilst others receive care within a more normal setting. ÌýSome babies may suffer from unnecessary medical interventions while others may not receive the treatment they need.Ìý

Our study aims to establish the number of new cases and early death rates in the cohort of babies born in the UK and Ireland between 1ÌýNovember 2018 and 31ÌýOctober 2020. We will record key treatments, complications and age on discharge from hospital. We hope that this study will benefit children with ichthyosis by providing us with information on exactly how rare it is, how many babies do not survive and how different doctors deal with the condition. This will help shape future approaches to managing the condition.

You can download the protocol card, including references, below

Case definition

Any suspected cases of severe congenital ichthyosis in live newborn or still-born babies born between 1ÌýNovember 2018 and 31ÌýOctober 2020. This includes babies with collodion membrane (a shiny film covering the skin) or harlequin ichthyosis (thick scales encasing the baby’s body).*

Ìý Harlequin ichthyosis Collodion membrane

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Consistency

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Thick and rigid, like plastic Thin and moderately flexible, like a coat of lacquer or collodion

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Pattern of cracking

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Broad irregular cracks already present at birth, in a pattern likened to a harlequin suit, reflecting growth of the fetus within a rigid casing Mostly smooth at birth but cracks progressively with neonatal movements, particularly across major joints, eg in the groins

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Restriction of limb movement

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Significant restriction with fingers and toes firmly fixed in flexion Minimal, although digits may be temporarily fixed in flexion

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Facial distortion

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Facial features are significantly distorted by the tight membrane: severe ectropion with complete eversion of the upper lids, marked eclabium, flattened nose, occluded nares Facial features are mildly distorted by the tight membrane. There is usually some degree of ectropion and eclabium

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Retroaural folds

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Usually absent Present

Reporting instructions

Please report any cases seen within the last month which meet the case definition.ÌýYou may also report cases seen earlier if you suspect that they have not been reported, provided they were born on or after 1ÌýNovember 2018.

Duration

November 2018 to November 2020 (25 months of surveillance). Follow-up until November 2021Ìý(1 year follow-up).

Funding

The study is funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (research grant: V4518).

Approval

The study has been approved by West Midlands - Black CountryÌýResearch Ethics Committee (reference: 18/WM/0211); HRA Confidentiality Advisory Group (reference: 18/CAG/0105); and Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care (PBPP) approval in Scotland (PBPP reference: 1819-0098).

Privacy notice

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWCNFT) is the sponsor and data controller for this research study - see . The Data Protection Officer at BWCNFT can be contacted atÌýBirmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH

The study team at BWCNFT will use information from medical records for medical research study. Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the legal basis for processing this information is for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. We will collect information about babies with with harlequin ichthyosisÌýor collodion membraneÌýfrom the doctors who are looking after them. Doctors will not provide identifying information, like names and addresses, but they will provide details like sex, ethnic group and date of birth. When the study finishes, identifying information will be deleted or de-identified. BWCNFT will securely store this information for 20 years.Ìý

If you want to find out more about how personal information is used in the study, please contactÌýbwc.bchscinstudy@nhs.netÌýor view the study public information leaflet.

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