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In 1996, a form of acquired anetoderma (flaccid skin resulting from lack of dermal elastic tissue) was described in extremely premature, very-low-birth-weight infants who had had prolonged neonatal intensive care. It was considered to be rare and idiopathic.
Authors of a retrospective review now describe 11 new cases of anetoderma of prematurity seen at a single French neonatal intensive care unit. The infants were born at 24 to 30 weeks' gestation, with birth weights ranging from 725 to 1250 grams. At ages 6 weeks to 5 months, they developed round, flat, atrophic patches on the chest and abdomen. Eight patients had lesions where adhesive monitoring leads had been removed, and five of these had had precursor ecchymotic circular patches after…