Neonatal Skin Conditions

Question 1

Miliaria

Answer 1

Heat rash
- Occlusion of sweat ducts
- Commonly appear on neck, groins, armpits, face
- 1-3mm papules or vesicles

Treatment
- Remove from humid environment
- Cool bathing
- Topical Hydrocortisone may be used to facilitate relief while condition resolves

Question 2

Milia

Answer 2

40-50% of newborn babies.

Clinical features - Tiny pearly-white bumps just under surface of skin.
Can also occur on oral mucosa or palate

Nil treatment. Spontaneous resolution within a few weeks of birth.

Question 3

Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum

Answer 3

Affects 50% of all full term neonates.
- most prominent on Day 2 but can also appear up to 2/52.

Clinical features
- Erythematous macules, papules and pustules lasting for several days and relieving spontaneously.
- Unusual for individual bump to last more than a day.

Question 4

Umbilical Granuloma

Answer 4

Fleshy Pink-Red growth with seropurulent discharge

Treatment
- Air out regularly
- Apply salt BD for a week (Saline-soaked gauze)

• Consider silver nitrate cauterization therapy every few days until healing occurs.

Question 5

Dermal melanocytosis

Answer 5

Mongolian Spot

• Blue-grey discoloration over sacrum of babies in East Asian and other dark-skinned ethnic backgrounds.
• Usually disappear by 4yo