Neonatal Dermatologic Findings in Uruguay: Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors

• Published in: Actas dermo-sifiliográficas (English ed.) 2021-05, Vol.112 (5), p.414-424
• Main Authors: De María, M K, Borda, K M, Arretche, V N, Gugelmeier, N, Mombelli, R, de Los Santos, A V, Acosta, M A, Álvarez, M, Pose, G L, Borbonet, D, Martínez, M A
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; spa
• Subjects: Causality; Cross-Sectional Studies; Erythema; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Uruguay - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1578-2190
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2020.11.019

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. To estimate the frequency of various dermatologic findings during the first 72hours of life and to identify their association with maternal, gestational, or neonatal factors. 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 72hours of birth. Proportions and 95% CI were calculated for all findings. Associations between findings and factors were analyzed. A total of 2811 neonates were included. We observed at least one 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