See Also
1. Newborn Skin Exam
Definition
1. Newborn rash with vessicles and Pustules most common with black skin
Epidemiology: Incidence by ethnicity
1. Black Infants: 4.4%
2. White Infants: 0.2%
Pathophysiology
1. Benign condition
2. Resolves spontaneously in first 3 months of life
Signs
1. Size: 2 to 4 mm
2. Initial: Milky fluid filled Pustule
3. Later: Hyperpigmented Macule with scale (collarette appearance) after Pustule ruptures
4. No surrounding erythema (contrast with Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum)
5. Distribution
  1. Especially on chin, neck, trunk and buttock
  2. Can be on palms and soles
Differential Diagnosis
1. See Neonatal Pustules and Vessicles
2. Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum (contrast with no surrounding erythema in Melanosis)
3. Infectious Pustules (contrast with the uniquely pigmented Macule in Melanosis)
Labs
1. Pustules contain Neutrophils on Gram Stain or wright stain
2. Culture Negative
Management
1. Reassurance for parents

Navigation Tree

Please see the Terms and Conditions. Please also see the privacy statement regarding advertising on this page. Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers. Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 5/16/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.