NYN | News
Social media activists circulated today touching videos and photos of a newborn in the city of Al-Hodeidah suffering from severe skin deformities covering most of his body and face, sparking shock and concern among both medical professionals and the public.
According to circulating reports, this is the second recorded case of its kind in the city, following a previous similar incident, prompting questions about possible causes behind such rare congenital deformities.
Health workers and activists suggested that the recurrence of such cases might point to a serious environmental factor or possible chemical pollution affecting the health of pregnant women and fetuses in the area. Some have urged the authorities to investigate the matter urgently.
In a medical statement, a doctor confirmed that the newborn suffers from a rare and severe genetic skin disorder known as Harlequin Ichthyosis, caused by a mutation in the ABCA12 gene, which is responsible for forming the skin’s outer protective barrier.
The doctor explained that the disease causes babies to be born with thick, armor-like, scaly skin with deep red cracks, often resulting in facial deformities, as well as abnormalities in the eyes, lips, nose, and ears, and restricted limb movement due to the rigid skin.
He added that the newborn requires urgent care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), including constant skin hydration, protection from infection, fluid and temperature regulation, and close monitoring of breathing and feeding, under the supervision of a multidisciplinary medical team comprising dermatology, pediatrics, and nutrition specialists.
The doctor emphasized that the disorder is autosomal recessive, occurring only when both parents carry the defective gene, and clarified that it is not caused by medications or maternal behavior during pregnancy.
Despite the shocking appearance, doctors stressed that this is a medically recognized condition, not a “strange” or “non-human” deformity as might be misrepresented online. They also highlighted that modern medical advances have significantly improved survival rates for affected infants through intensive care and supportive treatment.
