Journal Information
Vol. 112. Issue 5.
Pages 414-424 (May 2021)
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6152
Vol. 112. Issue 5.
Pages 414-424 (May 2021)
Original Article
Open Access
Neonatal Dermatologic Findings in Uruguay: Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors
Epidemiología y factores predisponentes de los hallazgos dermatológicos en neonatos de Uruguay
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M.K. De Maríaa,
Corresponding author
, K.M. Bordaa, V.N. Arretcheb, N. Gugelmeierb, R. Mombellia, A.V. de los Santosa, M.A. Acostab, M. Álvarezb, G.L. Posea, D. Borboneta, M.A. Martínezb
a Cátedra de Neonatología, Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, Uruguay
b Cátedra de Dermatología Pediátrica, Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Tables (3)
Table 1. Characteristics of the Mothers and Newborn Infants in Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell Enrolled in the Study
Table 2. Dermatologic Findings in 2811 Neonates According to Category
Table 3. Dermatologic Findings and Significantly Associated Variables
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Abstract
Background

The skin is a fundamental organ in the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life. The newborn infant experiences physiological changes and often presents benign, transient skin characteristics that vary according to maternal, gestational, and neonatal factors.

Objectives

To estimate the frequency of various dermatologic findings during the first 72 hours of life and to identify their association with maternal, gestational, or neonatal factors.

Methods

Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study from April to July 2015 and July to November 2017 in the maternity ward of Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. We examined the skin of neonates within 72 hours of birth. Proportions and 95% CIs were calculated for all findings. Associations between findings and factors were analyzed.

Results

A total of 2811 neonates were included. We observed at least 1 neonatal skin finding in all of the neonates and found a median (interquartile range) of 8 (6–9) findings (minimum–maximum, 1–16). We observed 42 of the 46 possible characteristics we looked for; 99.9% of the findings were benign and transient. Among the findings were lanugo (98%; 95% CI, 97.7%–98.7%), physiological scaling (79.7%; 95% CI, 78.2%–81.1%), and sebaceous hyperplasia (73.3%; 95% CI, 71.6%–74.9%). Lanugo (P = .001), physiological scaling (P < .001), and erythema toxicum (P = .001) were observed significantly more often in full- and late-term neonates. Sebaceous hyperplasia (P = .001) and transient hyperpigmentation (P < .001) were found more often in newborn males. Erythema toxicum was more common after vaginal births (P = .008). Transient hyperpigmentation (P < .001) and dermal melanocytosis (P < .001) were seen more often in neonates of African descent.

Conclusions

All neonates have skin characteristics that are part of their adaptation to extrauterine life. Most are benign and transient. Maternal age, type of delivery, and certain neonatal factors such as gestational age, birth weight, sex, and ethnicity are associated with specific findings.

Keywords:
Skin diseases
Neonatal
Infant
Newborn
Skin lesions
Dermatologic findings
Resumen
Introducción

La piel es fundamental en la transición de la vida intrauterina a la extrauterina. El recién nacido presenta cambios fisiológicos, siendo frecuente observar hallazgos cutáneos benignos y transitorios que varían según las características maternas, neonatales y de la gestación.

Objetivos

Estimar la frecuencia de diferentes hallazgos dermatológicos en neonatos en las primeras 72 horas de vida e identificar la existencia de diferencias de proporciones estadísticamente significativas con factores neonatales, maternos y de la gestación.

Métodos

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional de corte transversal entre abril a julio 2015 y de julio a noviembre de 2017 en la maternidad del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Se incluyeron neonatos de hasta 72 horas de vida, a los que se les practicó un examen dermatológico completo. Se presenta la proporción de cada uno de los hallazgos con el intervalo de confianza correspondiente. Se analiza la relación entre los hallazgos y determinados factores asociados.

Resultados

Se incluyeron 2811 neonatos. El 100% presentó al menos 1 hallazgo a nivel de la piel. La mediana fue de 8 lesiones por paciente (IIQ. 6 -9/Mn-Mx: 1-16). De los 46 hallazgos explorados clínicamente se encontraron 42. Las lesiones benignas y transitorias correspondieron a 99,9%. Entre ellas se observó: lanugo 98% (IC 97,7-98,7), descamación fisiológica 79,7% (IC 78,2-81,1) e hiperplasia sebácea 73,3% (IC 71,6-74,9). El lanugo (p = 0,001), la descamación fisiológica (p < 0,001), el eritema tóxico neonatal (p 0,001) se observaron con más frecuencia en los neonatos de término y postérmino. La hiperplasia sebácea (p = 0,001) y la hiperpigmentación transitoria neonatal (p < 0,001) se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en varones. El eritema tóxico neonatal aumentó en los nacimientos por parto vaginal (p 0,008). La hiperpigmentación neonatal transitoria (p < 0,001) y la melanocitosis dérmica (p < 0,001) se observaron en mayor proporción en afrodescendientes.

Conclusiones

El 100% de los neonatos presenta cambios a nivel de la piel, la mayoría benignos y transitorios como parte de la adaptación a la vida extrauterina. La edad materna, la vía de nacimiento, las características del neonato como la edad gestacional, el peso al nacer, el sexo, así como la etnia se asocian con la aparición de hallazgos específicos.

Palabras clave:
Dermatosis neonatal
Recién nacido
Lesiones de piel
Hallazgos dermatológicos
Full Text
Introduction

The skin plays a fundamental role during the transition between life inside and outside the womb. Skin anomalies at birth are common, but most are transient and benign, occurring as physiological responses to birth and limited to the first days or weeks of life.1,2 They are normally diagnosed clinically, but the signs vary according to ethnic, neonatal, maternal, and gestational factors as well as mode of delivery and culture. International studies have looked at the prevalence of various neonatal skin findings,3–11 but no work has been published on skin conditions of neonates in Uruguay.

The Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell is a university referral hospital for all of Uruguay. The hospital attends approximately 7000 births every year.12 Our aims were to describe the skin conditions we see in this center, report their frequency, and analyze significant associations between the findings and maternal, obstetric, and neonatal characteristics.

Material and Methods

This descriptive observational cross-sectional study was carried out by the pediatric neonatology and dermatology departments of the center. It was approved by the hospital’s research ethics committee.

The sample size was calculated based on the annual number of births in the hospital and the following assumptions: analysis of findings with a minimum frequency of 3%, a 95% CI, and a design effect of 0.01 (1%). The sample size calculated to provide a level of precision of 0.5% was 2729 neonates.

The neonates were recruited and examined consecutively Monday through Friday in the postnatal maternity ward within 72 hours of birth from April to July 2015 and July to November 2017. We excluded any neonates born on Saturday or Sunday or for whom consent to participate was not given (Fig. 1).

Figure 1.

Flow diagram of the number of hospital births and patients included in the analysis. CHPR refers to Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell.

(0.19MB).

After the mothers gave their informed consent, a pediatric dermatologist and a neonatologist performed the dermatologic examination together. These specialists, trained to diagnose neonatal dermatoses, examined the skin, hair, nails, and mucosal surfaces to reach a clinical diagnosis. In case of doubt, they consulted a group of experts in the hospital’s pediatric dermatology department. A standardized form was used to collect data, including the perinatal history (maternal, obstetric, and neonatal information) stored in the computerized patient file kept by attending staff. Additional information was obtained by questioning the parents.

We looked for 46 dermatologic conditions grouped in 6 categories based on Harper’s classification of pediatric skin disorders2 and the 2018 nomenclature of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies.13 The examiners also noted the location, size, and number of lesions for some conditions on the list. The categories were as follows:

  • 1)

    Benign or transient findings: lanugo, physiological scaling, sebaceous hyperplasia, vernix caseosa, milium cysts, Epstein pearls, alveolar (Bohn) nodules or cysts, gland cysts, median raphe cysts, erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN), transient neonatal pustular melanosis, miliaria crystallina or rubra, acral cyanosis, cutis marmorata, jaundice, rubor, sucking blister, pallor, teeth, neonatal acne, and harlequin coloring.

  • 2)

    Pigmented lesions: transient neonatal hyperpigmentation, congenital melanocytic nevus, café au lait macule, and dermal melanocytosis.

  • 3)

    Traumatic lesions: ecchymotic mask, serous/blood-filled sac, cephalohematoma, erosions, cuts, ecchymosis, and petechiae.

  • 4)

    Developmental abnormalities: affecting ears, digits, genitalia, the lips and/or mouth, or the sacral region; supernumerary nipples; hypospadias; and cutis aplasia.

  • 5)

    Epidermal nevi: sebaceous nevus.

  • 6)

    Vascular lesions: congenital hemangiomas, hemangioma precursors, capillary malformations (salmon patches), port wine stains, and arteriovenous anomalies.

We examined the associations between 7 variables mentioned in the literature1–11 and lesions with a prevalence of at least 5%. The first 2 variables were as follows:

  • 1)

    Maternal age according to the ranges specified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as follows: a) ≤18 years (adolescent mother), b) 19 to 34 years (ideal reproductive age range), and c) 35 years or older (older mother).

  • 2)

    Delivery mode: vaginal birth, cesarean section.

The remaining 5 variables were neonatal characteristics, as follows: sex, ethnicity, postnatal age in days, gestational age, and weight. Gestational age and weight were classified as suggested by the World Health Organization as follows: preterm (less than 37 weeks), term (between 37 and 41 weeks and 6 days), and postterm (42 weeks or more). Low birth weight was defined as less than 2500 g, normal weight as 2500 to 4000 g, and fetal macrosomia as a birth weight over 4000 g.

The normal distribution of continuous variables was assessed graphically and with the Shapiro–Wilk test. When the distribution was normal, results were expressed as mean (SD). Nonnormally distributed results were expressed as median, interquartile range (IQR), and the maximum–minimum range.

Categorical variables were described by raw frequencies and proportions (percentages) and their respective 95% CIs.

We assessed the association between findings and the categorical variables with the Pearson or Fisher tests. A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

Data were processed with SPSS software, version 15.0.

ResultsNeonatal Characteristics

A total of 2811 neonates entered the study, 1300 in the first period and 1511 in the second. Thirty-four were twins. The proportion of infants no more than 1 day old at the time of examination was 78.2%. Regarding sex, 50.9% were male and 49.1% were female. The mean gestational age at birth was 38.8 (1.33) weeks, and 95.2% were born at full term. The mean birth weight was 3252 (427) g; 90.2% of the infants weighed within the normal range.

Eighty-six percent of the infants were White, and 12.8% were mixed-race.

Maternal Characteristics

The median age of the 2777 mothers was 23 (IQR, 20–28; range, 13–48) years. Most infants (74.7%) were delivered vaginally (Table 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of the Mothers and Newborn Infants in Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell Enrolled in the Study

Characteristics  No. (%) 
Maternal characteristics  N = 2777 (100%) 
Age   
≥ 35 y  180 (6.5%) 
19–34 y  2172 (78.2%) 
≤ 18 y  425 (15.3%) 
Carrying twins  34 (1.2%) 
Delivery mode   
Vaginal birth  2074 (74.7%) 
Cesarean section  703 (25.3%) 
Neonatal characteristics  N = 2811 (100%) 
Sex   
Female  1380 (49.1%) 
Male  1431 (50.9%) 
Gestational age   
Preterm  122 (4.3%) 
Term  2676 (95.2%) 
Postterm  13 (0.5%) 
Birth weight   
Low  92 (3.3%) 
Normal  2535 (90.2%) 
Fetal macrosomia  184 (6.5%) 
Ethnicity   
White  2418 (86%) 
Mixed-race  360 (12.8%) 
African descent  33 (1.2%) 
Day of life on physical examination   
1st d  2199 (78.2%) 
2nd d  586 (20.8%) 
3rd d  26 (1%) 
Dermatologic Findings

Table 2 shows the skin conditions observed. Forty-two of the 46 findings anticipated were found.

Table 2.

Dermatologic Findings in 2811 Neonates According to Category

Findings  No. of Neonates (%)  95% CI, % 
Total  2811 (100)   
Transient and benign findings  2810 (99.9)  99.8–100 
Lanugo  2763 (98.3)  97.7–98.7 
Physiological scaling  2240 (79.7)  78.2–81.1 
Sebaceous hyperplasia  2060 (73.3)  71.6–74.9 
Epstein pearls  1864 (66.3)  64.5–68.0 
Vernix caseosa  1779 (63.3)  61.5–65.0 
Erythema toxicum neonatorum  1554 (55.3)  53.4–57.0 
Acral cyanosis  1422 (50.6)  48.7–52.4 
Milium cysts  1088 (38.7)  36.9–40.5 
Bohn nodules  888 (31.6)  29.9–33.3 
Miliaria crystallina  883 (31.4)  29.7–33.2 
Jaundice  617 (21.9)  20.5–23.5 
Cutis marmorata  228 (8.1)  7.2–9.2 
Miliaria rubra  42 (1.5)  1.1–2.0 
Rubor  40 (1.4)  1.0–1.9 
Sucking blister  26 (0.9)  0.6–1.3 
Pustular melanosis  25 (0.9)  0.6–1.3 
Gland cyst  8 (0.3)  0.1–0.6 
Pallor  3 (0.1)  0.0–0.3 
Teeth  2 (0.1)  0.0–0.3 
Vascular lesions  1569 (55.8)  54.0–57.6 
Salmon patch  1563 (55.6)  53.8–57.4 
Hemangioma precursors  14 (0.5)  0.3–0.8 
Arteriovenous malformations  5 (0.2)  0.08–0.4 
Port wine stain  5 (0.2)  0.08–0.4 
Congenital hemangiomas  2 (0.1)  0.02–0.3 
Pigmented lesions  1432 (50.9)  49.1–52.8 
Dermal melanocytosis  112 (40.1)  38.9 –41.9 
Transient neonatal hyperpigmentation  675 (24.0)  22.5–25.6 
Congenital melanocytic nevus  48 (1.7)  1.3–2.3 
Café au lait macules  39 (1.4)  1.0–1.9 
Traumatic lesions  361 (12.8)  11.7–14.1 
Ecchymotic mask  194 (6.9)  6.0–7.9 
Cephalohematoma  50 (1.8)  1.4 –2.3 
Erosion  42 (1.5)  1.1–2.0 
Ecchymosis  42 (1.5)  1.1–2.0 
Petechiae  42 (1.5)  1.1–2.0 
Serous/blood-filled sac  20 (0.7)  0.5–1.1 
Cut  6 (0.3)  0.1–0.5 
Congenital defects  99 (3.5)  2.9–4.3 
Sacral region abnormality  50 (1.8)  1.4–2.3 
Ear abnormality  31 (1.1)  0.8–1.6 
Digital abnormality  5 (0.2)  0.1–0.4 
Supernumerary nipple  5 (0.2)  0.1–0.4 
Mouth and palate abnormalities  5 (0.2)  0.1–0.4 
Hypospadias  3 (0.1  0.0–0.3 
Epidermal nevi  14 (0.5)  0.3–0.8 
Sebaceous nevus  14 (0.5)  0.3–0.8 

All of the neonates presented at least 1 condition on examination. In 2795 (99.8%) more than a single type of finding was present. The median number was 8 per neonate (IQR, 6–9; range, 1–16).

The majority of findings were categorized as benign or transient (99.9%; 95% CI, 99.8%–100%), and 2810 had at least 1 finding of this type. The most common one, lanugo (Fig. 2), was observed in 2763 neonates (98.3%; 95% CI, 97.7%–98.7%), followed in order of frequency by physiological scaling in 2240 (79.7%; 95% CI, 78.2%–81.1%), sebaceous hyperplasia (Fig. 3) in 2080 (73.3%; 95% CI, 71.6%–74.9%), and Epstein pearls (Fig. 4) in 1864 (66.3%; 95% CI, 64.5%–68.0%). Fig. 5 shows ETN lesions, a finding in 1554 neonates (55.3%; 95% CI, 53.4%–57%). Among the less frequently observed dermatoses, transient neonatal pustular melanosis (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.6%–1.3%) was noteworthy.

Figure 2.

Lanugo.

(0.25MB).
Figure 3.

Sebaceous hyperplasia.

(0.21MB).
Figure 4.

Epstein pearls.

(0.18MB).
Figure 5.

Erythema toxicum neonatorum.

(0.29MB).

Vascular lesions were observed in 55.8% of the neonates (95% CI, 54.0–57.6). Salmon patches (Fig. 6) accounted for most of the vascular lesions; they were present in 1563 infants (55.6%; 95% CI, 53.8%–57.4%) and were observed on the nape of the neck, the eyelids, glabella, nose, philtrum, and in the sacral region. Less common lesions in this group were hemangioma precursors (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%–0.8%) and congenital hemangiomas (0.1%; 95% CI, 0.02%–0.3%) (Fig. 7).

Figure 6.

Salmon patches.

(0.18MB).
Figure 7.

Congenital hemangioma.

(0.2MB).

Pigmented lesions accounted for 50.9% of the observations (95% CI, 49.1%–52.8%). They were mainly dermal melanocytosis, observed in 1127 neonates (40.1%; 95% CI, 38.9%–41.9%) and located in the sacral region and on buttocks and limbs. One infant had an atypical form of dermal melanocytosis (Fig. 8). Transient neonatal hyperpigmentation (24%; 95% CI, 22.5%–25.6%) was found on genitals, in axillas, at the base of the umbilical cord, and on the proximal nail fold. Less common lesions in this category, such as congenital melanocytic nevi, were seen in 1.7% (95% CI, 1.3%–2.3%); 92% of these nevi were small. No giant congenital melanocytic nevi were found during the study. Café au lait macules, seen in 1.4% of the population (95% CI, 1%–1.9%), were usually solitary, but 5 of the infants had more than 1 macule (1 had 3 macules and 4 had 2).

Figure 8.

Unusual presentation of dermal melanocytosis.

(0.41MB).

Less common categories were traumatic lesions (in 12.8%; 95% CI, 11.7%–14.1%) and congenital anomaliies (in 3.5%, 95% CI, 2.9%–4.3%).

Table 3 shows the statistically significant associations between dermatologic findings and patient factors. (See the supplementary material for a table with all data for conditions with a frequency greater than 5% and their relationships with the analyzed variables.) Lanugo (P = .015), physiological scaling (P < .001), ETN (P = .001), transient neonatal hyperpigmentation (P = .029), and milium cysts (P = 0,002) were found more often in full-term and postterm neonates. However, jaundice (P = .021) and miliaria crystallina (P = .034) were found more often in preterm infants.

Table 3.

Dermatologic Findings and Significantly Associated Variables

Findings and Related Variables  PresenceAbsenceP  Findings and Related Variables  PresenceAbsenceP 
       
Lanugo N 2765 (98.3%)  Physiological scaling N 2240 (79.7%)
Mother ≤ 18 y  429  99.0  .047a  1st d  1782  81  417  19  .003a 
Mother 19 – 34 y  2110  98.4  34  1.6    2nd d  438  74.7  148  25.3   
Mother ≥ 35 y  226  96.5  3.5    3rd d  20  76.9  23.1   
Term  2635  98.5  41  1.5  .015a  Term  2157  80.6  519  19.4  < ·001a 
Preterm  116  95.1  4.9    Preterm  72  59  50  41   
Postterm  13  100    Postterm  11  84.6  15.4   
Low birth weight  86  94.5  5.5  .015a  Low birth weight  63  69.2  28  30.8  .030a 
Normal weight  2496  98.5  39  1.5    Normal weight  2028  80  507  20   
Fetal macrosomia  181  98.4  1.6    Fetal macrosomia  149  81  35  19   
Sebaceous hyperplasia N 2060 (73.3%)  Transient neonatal hyperpigmentation N 675 (24%)
Female  973  70.5  408  29.5  .001a  Female sex  236  17.1  1145  82.9  < .001a 
Male  1087  76  743  24    Male sex  439  30.7  991  69.3   
1st d  1603  72.9  596  27.1  .030a  Term  65  24.5  2021  75.5  .029a 
2nd d  743  75.6  143  24.4    Preterm  517  13.9  105  86.1   
3rd d  14  53.8  12  46.2    Postterm  23.1  10  76.9   
Low birth weight  65  70.7  27  29.3  .030a  African descent  22  66.7  11  33.3  < .001a 
Normal weight  1845  72.8  690  27.2    Mixed race  162  45  198  55   
Fetal macrosomia  150  81.5  34  18.5    White  491  20.3  1929  79.7   
Milium cysts: N 1088 (38.7%)  Dermal melanocytosis N 1126 (40.1%)
Term  1055  39.4  162  60.6  .002a  African descent  19  57.6  14  42.4  < .001a 
Preterm  30  24.6  90  75.4    Mixed race  199  55.3  161  44.7   
Postterm  23.1  10  76.9    White  908  37.6  1510  62.4   
1st d  822  37.4  1377  62.6  .024a  1st d  862  39.2  1337  60.8  .048a 
2nd d  255  43.5  331  56.5    2nd d  257  43.9  329  56.1   
3rd d  11  42.3  15  57.7    3rd d  26.9  19  73.1   
Low birth weight  26  28.3  66  71.7  .050a  Low birth weight  45  48.9  47  51.1  .035a 
Normal weight  982  38.7  1553  61.3    Normal weight  1020  40.5  1515  59.5   
Fetal macrosomia  80  43.5  104  56.5    Fetal macrosomia  61  33.2  123  66.8   
Jaundice N 617 (21.9%)  Erythema toximum neonatorum N 1554 (55.3%)
Term  576  21.5  2100  78.5  .021a  Term  1498  56  1178  44  .001a 
Preterm  39  32  83  68    Preterm  48  39.3  74  60.7   
Postterm  15.4  11  84.6    Postterm  61.5  38.5   
Low birth weight  32  34.8  60  65.2  .001a  1st d  1161  52.8  1038  47.2  .001a 
Normal weight  547  20.7  1988  78.4    2nd d  376  64.2  210  35.8   
Fetal macrosomia  38  21.6  146  79.3    3rd d  17  65.4  34.6   
1st d  334  15.2  1865  84.8  < .001a  Low birth weight  35  38.5  56  61.5  .002a 
2nd d  271  46.2  315  53.8    Normal weight  1407  55.5  1128  44.5   
3rd d  12  46.2  14  53.8    Fetal macrosomia  112  60.9  72  39.1   
African descent  18.2  27  81.8  .013a  Cesarean section  362  50.9  348  49.1  .008a 
Mixed race  58  16.1  302  83.9    Vaginal birth  1192  56.7  1192  43.2   
White  553  22.9  1865  77.1               
Salmon patches N 1564 (55.6%)  Cutis marmorata N 227 (8.1%)
Female  808  58.5  573  41.5  .003a  Mother  ≤18 y  30  400  93  .015a 
Male  756  52.9  674  47.1  .003a  Mother 19–34 y  166  7.7  1976  92.3   
1st d  1248  56.8  951  43.2  .049a  Mother  ≥  35 y  30  12.9  202  87.1   
2nd d  305  52  281  48    1st d  155  2044  93  .001a 
3rd d  11  42.3  15  57.7    2nd d  69  11.8  517  88.2   
            3rd d  1.5  23  88.5   
Ecchymotic mask N 194 (6.9%)  Epstein pearls N 1863 (66.3%)
African descent  33  100  < .001a  African descent  16  48.5  17  51.5  .003a 
Mixed race  41  6.3  2265  93.7    Mixed race  217  60.3  143  39.7   
White  1530  11.4  319  88.6    White  1630  67.4  788  32.6   
Low birth weight  1.1  91  98.9  < .001a  1st d  1481  67.3  718  32.7  .015a 
Normal weight  168  6.6  2367  93.4    2nd d  370  63.1  216  36.9   
Fetal macrosomia  251  13.6  1599  86.4    3rd d  12  46.2  1471  53.8   
Vaginal birth  188  8.9  1913  91.1  < .001a             
Cesarean section  0.8  704  99.2    Miliaria crystallina N 883 (31.4%)
Vernix N 1779 (63.3%)  Term  829  31  1847  69  .034a 
Female  940  68.1  483  31.9  < .001a  Preterm  51  41.8  71  58.2   
Male  839  58.7  465  32.5    Postterm  20.8  10  79.2   
1st d  1465  66.6  734  33.4    African descent  27.7  24  72.7  < .001a 
2nd d  305  52  281  48  < .001a  Mixed race  73  20.3  287  79.7   
3rd d  34.6  17  65.4    White  801  33.1  1617  66.9   
a

χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Level of significance, P < .05.

Lanugo (P = .015), physiological scaling, (P = .03), sebaceous hyperplasia (P = .03), ETN (P = .002), and milium cysts (P = .058) were seen more often in normal-weight neonates or those with fetal macrosomia.

Sebaceous hyperplasia (P = .001) and transient neonatal hyperpigmentation (P < .001) were more frequent in male neonates. Vernix caseosa (P < .001) and salmon patches (P = .003), on the other hand, were more often seen in female neonates.

Pigmented lesions such as dermal melanocytosis (P < .001) and transient neonatal hyperpigmentation (P < .001) were more common in neonates of African descent.

Lanugo (P = .047) was associated with infants born of adolescent mothers and cutis marmorata was more common in those born to older mothers (P = .015).

ETN was more frequent after vaginal births (P = .008). Traumatic lesions such as ecchymotic mask also occurred more often during vaginal births (P < .001).

Vernix caseosa was seen most often on the first day of life (P < .001), whereas jaundice (P < .001) and ETN (P < .001) were reported more often in neonates examined on the second or third days.

Discussion

Dermatologic conditions in the early days of life are highly prevalent and overlap. Most are benign, transient, and diagnosed clinically. They resolve spontaneously and are part of adaptation to life outside the womb. They are also related to such neonatal factors as gestational age, birth weight, and ethnicity as well as to maternal and gestational factors.1–11 It is important to be able to recognize these conditions and diagnose them clinically in order to avoid unnecessary testing and to reassure the infant’s caregivers.

Studies in various countries have demonstrated the prevalence of dermatoses in neonates and their associations with different factors,3–11,14 but until now data have not been available for Uruguay.

The frequency of neonatal dermatologic conditions varies in the literature. In our study the overall prevalence was similar to the high rates described for Spain (99.2%),4 Brazil (99.2%),5 and Australia (99.3%).8 Several skin conditions may be present at the same time. Reginatto et al5 reported a mean of 3.23 findings per neonate; in our study the median number was 8 per neonate.

Benign, transient lesions were the most common ones in our study, consistent with previous reports.3–11 However, there is no consensus in the literature about which findings predominate in each category: sebaceous hyperplasia has been reported to be the most common in Spain (75%),4 and Hungary (29%),3 whereas lanugo has been reported to be the most common in Brazil (38%)5 and northern Italy (68%).9 Lanugo was by far the most common finding in our study, at a prevalence of 98.3%, a rate that was even higher than reported in the international literature consulted.3–9

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis was among the less frequent of the benign, transient lesions found. It was diagnosed clinically by the presence of pustulous lesions on healthy skin from birth or more advanced lesions such as collarette scaling and residual hyperpigmentation. The global prevalence of this diagnosis is less than 1%, but it is considerably higher in neonates of African descent (5%).2 In our study with few neonates of African extraction, the frequency was 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6%–1.3%).

In the categories of vascular and pigmented lesions, the conditions observed most often were salmon patches and dermal melanocytosis, consistent with reports in the international literature.4,10

The prevalence of salmon patches varies by country and ethnicity, from 20.7% in India7 to 83% in the United States.6 In our study the frequency was 55.3% (95% CI, 53.8%–57.4%). Hemangioma precursors, which may be present at birth as telangiectatic macules surrounded by pale halos, vary in frequency from 1.6% to 3.5% in the literature.2,3,15 The rate was much lower in our study (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%–0.8%), probably attributable to the small number of preterm infants we examined, since such infants are at risk for infantile hemangiomas.2,3,15

Dermal melanocytosis, described as a slate-gray macule, also varies in frequency, from 20% of neonates in Egypt16 to 84.7% in India,7 suggesting that ethnicity exercises a significant influence over this condition, which is more prevalent in higher-phototype skin categories.

According to data from the National Statistics Institute of Uruguay and based on self-reported information, our national population is distributed ethnically as follows: 87.4% of the population are White, 2% are of African descent, and 10% are of mixed races (including African/White, Native American/White, and African/White/Native American individuals).17 In our sample of neonates, with a similar ethnic distribution, the frequency of dermal melanocytosis was 40% (95% CI, 38.9%–41.9%).

Lesions such as lanugo, physiological scaling, ETN, and hyperpigmentation do not occur independently of gestational age and birth weight. We observed these findings in postterm, normal weight, and macrosomal neonates. These observations are consistent with reports in the literature1,2,18–21 as well as the fact that longer gestational age is related to greater thickness of the corneal layer and better functioning of the skin barrier and immune system.

Neonates of African descent more often presented pigmented lesions such as transient neonatal hyperpigmentation (P = .001) and dermal melanocytosis (P = .001). This association is consistent with the literature,2,3,16,22,23 but our conclusions are limited by the small number of African-descent infants in this study. A new design to include more such neonates would be required to be sure this observation holds. Higher incidence rates of pigmented lesions in darker-skinned individuals with more and larger melanosomes containing more melanin would explain the association.23

Some skin findings are related to delivery mode. Like Ábrahám et al3 and Monteagudo et al,4 we observed an association between the presence of traumatic lesions (eg, an ecchymotic mask) and vaginal birth (P = .001).

A possible relationship between ETN and delivery mode is still under debate. We saw a higher proportion of ETN in neonates delivered vaginally (P = .008), possibly because of rapid colonization of skin during the passage through the birth canal. Marchini et al21 speculated that as the number of postnatal hours increases so does colonization, triggering an immune-mediated response that manifests as ETN. This explanation could account for our observation of higher rates of ETN in 3-day-old infants (P < .001).

Further studies using logistic regression modeling are required to deepen our understanding of associations between dermatologic findings and the variables analyzed in this study.

A limitation of our study was the low percentage of neonates with gestational ages of less than 37 weeks (4%), which was not representative of the percentage of preterm infants delivered in our hospital (10%). Therefore, dermatologic findings in this group may have been underrepresented.

A strength of the study is the large number of infants examined. This population size allowed us to observe even lesions described as uncommon in the literature.

Conclusion

All neonates have skin characteristics that reflect their adaptation to extrauterine life. Most are benign and transient. Maternal age, delivery mode, and certain neonatal factors such as gestational age, birth weight, sex, and ethnicity are associated with specific conditions. This multidisciplinary study on dermatologic findings in neonates is the first of its kind in Uruguay. The sample was representative of the population born in a national referral hospital.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Appendix A
Supplementary data

The following is Supplementary data to this article:

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Please cite this article as: De María MK, Borda KM, Arretche VN, Gugelmeier N, Mombelli R, de los Santos AV, et al. Epidemiología y factores predisponentes de los hallazgos dermatológicos en neonatos de Uruguay. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2020;112:414–424.

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