Universal acquired melanosis (Carbon baby)

Acquired universal melanosis (carbon baby syndrome)

Generalized pigmentation in a child may be attributed to a wide range of disorders. Acquired universal melanosis (AUM), also known as carbon baby syndrome, is one such rare condition, characterized by progressive hyperpigmentation of the skin since infancy with histopathologic features of heavy melanization of the entire epidermis. Since its initial description, only a few cases of AUM have been described in the English-language literature. We describe here a case of a young child with AUM for its rarity and a few unusual features.

Ashy dermatosis: a controversial entity

We present here the case of a young Indian male with slowly progressive, diffuse darkening of the face, arms, neck, and trunk. The patient was not taking any medication and there was no history of any previous skin disease and the mucous membrane was not involved. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis for ashy dermatosis of unknown etiology.