
Living with Michelin-tire baby
A rare condition from birth in which extra skin forms ring-like folds around the arms and legs.
Understanding Michelin-tire baby
Babies are born with extra skin that folds into thin rings around the arms and legs. These usually occur on both sides and typically disappear as the child grows. Some people also have a cleft palate, delayed growth, developmental delay, seizures, brain differences, or unusual facial features. Fewer than 50 cases have been reported.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Ring-like skin folds on the arms and legs
- Cleft palate
- Swelling
- Thickened skin
- Patchy darker skin
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
In some cases it is caused by changes in the TUBB or MAPRE2 gene. GARD lists autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance.
Also known as: ccsf; circumferential skin creases, kunze type; congenital circumferential skin folds; cscsc; kunze-riehm syndrome; lipomatous hypertrophy
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Michelin-tire baby.
Explore research for Michelin-tire baby
Explore actively recruiting Michelin-tire baby studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Michelin-tire baby with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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