Harlequin ichthyosis causes babies to be born with hard, thick plates of skin that crack and split apart. It can affect their appearance, breathing, eating and survival. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Learn about Harlequin Ichthyosis, including symptoms, causes, and treatments. If you or a loved one is affected by this condition, visit NORD to find Harlequin ichthyosis is a severe, lifelong condition that affects a newborn's skin causing dry, scaly skin. Read on for the signs, symptom, causes, and more. Harlequin-type ichthyosis is a severe genetic disorder that causes thickened, cracked skin and abnormal facial features at birth. It is caused by mutations in the ABCA12 gene and affects 1 in 300,000 births.
