Michelin tire baby syndrome: a review of the literature and a proposal for diagnostic criteria with adoption of the name circumferential skin folds syndrome

Abstract

The term Michelin tire baby (MTB), named for the cartoon mascot of the Michelin Tire Company, has been used to describe babies with multiple symmetric circumferential rings of folded skin. In those reported with this phenotype who had skin biopsies, pathology has shown nevus lipomatosis, smooth muscle hamartoma, degenerative collagen, and scarring. Others did not undergo biopsy or had normal skin. Many individuals with the MTB phenotype have had a variety of other congenital anomalies. I review the literature on MTB and the history of the designation Michelin tire baby Syndrome (MTBS). Because the term MTBS has been poorly defined or not defined at all, I propose strict criteria for diagnosis. In doing so, it is recommended that the syndrome be renamed to avoid further confusion.