An autosomal recessive syndrome is described that associates extreme photosensitivity with a defect of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) excision repair system, mild noncongenital ichthyosis, brittle cystine-deficient hair, impaired intelligence, neurologic disorders, and short stature. A curious very sociable behavior, cataract and retinal dystrophy, recurrent infections, and unusual face are additional features. Fertility may be decreased. This syndrome is related to xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D but differs from it in the absence of skin tumors, at least in the first two decades of life.