HARLEQUIN FETUS

Introduction. Birth of an Harlequin fetus in an African maternity ward is an exceptional event. There is no question as to the diagnosis, bu t no treatment is available. Case report. A female infant was delivere d with typical lesions of malignant keratoma. Death occurred 20 hours after birth. Discussion. In countries with adequate intensive care fac ilities (hydration, acitretine), such infants may occasionnally surviv e with the risk of developing major lamellar ichthyosis which remains a handicap for the rest of life. In Burkina-Faso, such therapeutic fac ilities are lacking as are means of antenatal diagnosis. The ethical q uestion as to whether or not to attempt survival measures is quire dif ferent under these conditions.