Successful treatment of tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis in a 23‐day‐old newborn with itraconazole pulse therapy and a review of the literature

Abstract

Although tinea capitis is common in children, but it is rare in newborns. It should be differentiated with neonatal lupus erythematosus, nummular eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, erythema annular centrifugum, annular urticaria, and annular erythema of infancy. Tinea capitis usually needs oral antifungal therapy, but the data of use in newborn is limited. Here, we report a case of tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis in a 23‐day‐old female newborn. The patient was given itraconazole oral solution pulse therapy with an excellent outcome. Itraconazole oral solution pulse therapy may be a promising therapy for tinea capitis in infants, especially in newborns.

Successful treatment of fungal ball‐associated tinea capitis in a healthy infant: An unusual presentation

“…13 Seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, neonatal lupus erythematosus, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, impetigo, nummular eczema, psoriasis, erythema annular centrifugum, and annular urticaria are the main differential diagnosis in infants with scalp dermatophytosis. 14,15 Kerion is an inflammatory presentation of tinea capitis in children. 16 It clinically manifests as a boggy plaque with alopecia, pustules, and purulent drainage that may be accompanied by cervical or suboccipital lymphadenopathy.…”

Tinea capitis in newborns: Report of a case and review of the literature with a focus on treatment modalities

“…Due to its rarity, tinea capitis in newborns can be misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection, eczematous dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, neonatal lupus, congenital triangular alopecia, annular erythema of infancy, or erythema annulare centrifugum. 1,2,24 It is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments, as they can worsen the disease and potentially lead to a kerion. Trichoscopy, a non-invasive and rapid diagnostic tool, plays a significant role in the diagnosis of tinea capitis.…”

“…However, only 29 cases of tinea capitis in newborns less than 1 month old have been reported in indexed literature from 1990 until now (Table 1). 2–23 Due to its rarity, tinea capitis in newborns can be misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection, eczematous dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, neonatal lupus, congenital triangular alopecia, annular erythema of infancy, or erythema annulare centrifugum 1,2,24 . It is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments, as they can worsen the disease and potentially lead to a kerion.…”

“…The infection typically presents with alopecic patches and scaling, with the possibility of an inflammatory form called a kerion 1 . Systemic antifungal therapy is considered the gold standard for treating tinea capitis 2 . However, there are limited data on the use of systemic antifungal agents in newborns younger than 1 month of age and their efficacy and safety in this population are not well‐established.…”

“…ered the gold standard for treating tinea capitis. 2 However, there are limited data on the use of systemic antifungal agents in newborns younger than 1 month of age and their efficacy and safety in this population are not well-established. Furthermore, treatment guidelines specifically for this age group are lacking.…”