Clinical Atlas of Genodermatoses in Skin of Colour

Genodermatoses are a diverse group of inherited disorders caused by genetic mutations, often involving the skin, mucosa, and adnexal structures. As the most accessible and visible organ, the skin frequently offers vital diagnostic clues—such as café-au-lait macules in neurofibromatosis, angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis, or ichthyosis linearis circumflexa in Netherton syndrome, that may be overlooked by the untrained eye. Early recognition of these hallmark lesions can lead to prompt diagnosis and timely management.

With the advent of advanced genetic testing and expanding access to molecular diagnostics, the identification of genodermatoses is steadily increasing. In parallel, developments in proteomics and targeted therapies are offering promising therapeutic avenues. Against this background, clinical suspicion and early recognition remain crucial.

Most existing textbooks on genodermatoses are authored in Western contexts, and the accompanying clinical images often do not represent how these conditions appear in skin of colour. This atlas aims to bridge that gap by presenting high-quality clinical images of genodermatoses as seen in skin of colour, accompanied by concise, structured discussions tailored for practical use.

Dr. Dharshini Sathishkumar is a Professor of Dermatology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, with a special interest in paediatric dermatology, particularly genodermatoses. She completed her training at Thanjavur Medical College (MBBS), Christian Medical College, Vellore (MD, DVL), and Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK (Fellowship in Paediatric Dermatology). She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh [FRCP(Edin.)] and has national and international publications, authored book chapters, and presents at various conferences. She coordinates the post-doctoral fellowship course in paediatric dermatology at her institution and serves on the editorial board of IJDVL and the upcoming ‘IADVL Textbook of Paediatric Dermatology’.

Dr. Lydia Mathew did her post-graduation in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India and continues to work there as an Associate Professor. She has publications in national and international journals and authored book chapters.

Dr. Anju George did her post-graduation from the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Currently, she is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. She has many publications in national and international peer-reviewed, indexed journals and authored book chapters.

Dr. Minu Jose Chiramel is a paediatric dermatologist, working as an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. She completed her training at JIPMER, Puducherry (MBBS), AIIMS, Delhi (MD, Dermatology), CMC, Vellore (Paediatric Dermatology fellowship), and Mount Sinai Hospital, New York (Scholar in Medical and Translational Dermatology). She is passionate about caring for genodermatoses patients and has published nationally and internationally and regularly presents at conferences. She is in the editorial team for the upcoming ‘IADVL textbook of Paediatric Dermatology’ and reviewer for many national and international journals.