A clinical study of cutaneous manifestations in neonates

Abstract

Background: Various cutaneous manifestations are common in the neonatal period. Transient and pathological neonatal dermatoses should be differentiated to avoid unnecessary treatment and to relieve parent’s stress. The present study is being carried out to study the clinical pattern of cutaneous lesion during the neonatal period, to determine the frequency of various dermatoses i.e. physiological and pathological lesions in neonate along with appropriate management of cases.

Methods: A total of 100 neonates from labour rooms and pediatric nursery of Basaveshwara general hospital, Kalaburagi were evaluated for cutaneous manifestations. All the relevant data regarding history, clinical examination and investigations were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Of the 100 neonates, 56 (56%) were males and 44 (44%) were females, 72 (72%) were full term, 23 (23%) were pre-term and 5% were post term. Of these 78% newborns were born to multigravidae mothers, while 24% newborns born of consanguineous marriage had cutaneous lesions. The majority of newborns 54% were born through normal delivery. The largest number of babies with cutaneous lesions (72%) was seen in newborns of mothers in the age group of 20-29 years. The most common dermatoses were physiological scaling (18%) and Mongolian spots (20%) followed by milia (13%), miliaria (14%).

Conclusions: The present study helps to understand the type and distribution of cutaneous lesions presenting in the early neonatal period in newborns. Majority of skin lesions were transient and did not need any medical treatment. Counselling the parents helped alleviate their significant psychological stress as well as play a role in creating awareness in the community and benefit the people at large.