Dermatoses of the Neonate

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of neonatal skin function and intrauterine skin development. The impact on the skin of gestational age at birth is discussed along with cutaneous complications arising from prematurity and neonatal medical procedures. Skin care practices and considerations for neonates are summarised and physiological appearances and changes are described. On overview of disordered skin in neonates is provided, including pustular eruptions, atrophic skin lesions, disorders of neonatal fat, colloidion baby, blueberry muffin baby, purpura fulminans and common neonatal dermatosis. The clinical manifestions in a neonate of transplacental transfer of maternal autoantibodies is evaluated, including in conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, herpes gestationis, lupus erythematosus and maternal malignancy. Finally, on overview of infective skin pathologies and clinical manifestations in neonates is provided including viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens.