Early neonatal dermatoses: A study among 1260 babies delivered at a tertiary care center in South India

Abstract

Introduction: A variety of lesions which may be transient, physiological, or pathological may be present during the neonatal period. However, most of these conditions are benign and self-limiting. Objective: To study the hospital-based incidence and clinical pattern of dermatoses during the early neonatal period. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in a government hospital. A total of 1260 consecutive live babies delivered over a period of 1 year at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were examined up to 7 days of extrauterine life. Results: Among 1260 newborns, 1242 (98.5%) had cutaneous lesions. Among them, 700 (55.5%) were males and 560 (44.4%) were females. Of these, 1119 (88.1%) weighed >2.5 kg, whereas 141 (11.9%) weighe<2.50 kg. 1176 (93.3) were born at term, 66 (5.3%) were preterm, and 18 (1.4%) were postterm. History of consanguinity was present in 211 (16.7%) cases. 817 (64.8%) newborns were delivered by normal vaginal route and 443 (35.1%) by cesarean section. Majority, i.e., 764 (60.6%) mothers were in the age group of 21–25 years, 318 (25.23%) below 20 years, 162 between 26 and 30 years (12.86%), and 16 (1.26) were more than 30 years. Mongolian spot, milia, sebaceous hyperplasia, erythema toxicum, and physiological scaling were the common physiological and transient dermatoses seen. A few pathological conditions such as Waardenburg syndrome and bathing trunk nevus were seen. Conclusion: The hospital-based incidence of neonatal dermatoses was 98.5% with no sexual predilection. Although common, most of the skin lesions in newborn are self-limiting requiring no treatment. Correct diagnosis and counseling the parents may relieve the anxiety and mental trauma.

Keywords

• Neonatal dermatoses
• physiological
• transient