Ichthyosis Ichthyosis Ichthyosis is a family of rare genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, thickened, scaly skin. There are more than 20 types of ichthyosis which range in severity of symptoms, outward appearance, underlying genetic cause and mode of inheritance (e.g., whether the abnormal gene inherited is dominant, recessive, autosomal or X-linked). Ichthyosis comes from the Greek ἰχθύς, ichthys, literally "fish", since dry, scaly skin is the defining feature of all forms of ichthyosis. The severity of symptoms can vary enormously, from the mildest, most common, types such as ichthyosis vulgaris, which may be mistaken for normal dry skin, up to
Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome (IPS) is a dermatological disease with known genetic causes. This syndrome is a rare subcategory of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). It is associated with complications in the mid-trimester of a pregnancy leading to premature births. Although most prevalent in individuals of Scandinavian origin, there have also been scattered cases in people of Japanese, Italian and Indian ethnicity. This disorder is also referred to as ichthyosis congenital type IV. The symptoms associated with the disorder are often confused for other dermatological disorders. The symptoms below are ones specifically associated with IPS. Pregnancies that have