A Study of Physiological Skin Changes in Neonates of a Tertiary Care Centre

Author(s):Dr. Anju Prabhakar

Received: 2020-05-08 Accepted: 2020-06-01 Published: 2020-06-20

Abstract

Background: The skin of the newborn differs structurally and functionally from that of the adult and displays a wide range of transient, benign changes during the first weeks of life. These physiological skin changes are common, self-limiting, and require no treatment, yet they are frequently a source of considerable parental anxiety and unnecessary intervention.
Objectives: To determine the pattern and frequency of physiological skin changes in neonates at a tertiary care centre and to examine their relationship with maternal and neonatal factors such as sex, gestational age, birth weight, and mode of delivery.
Methods: A hospital-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out over 12 months. Consecutively born neonates underwent a complete cutaneous examination by a dermatologist within the first days of life. Physiological and transient skin findings were documented using standard morphological criteria, and their associations with maternal and neonatal variables were analysed.
Results: The great majority of neonates showed at least one physiological skin change. The commonest findings were Mongolian spots, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, Epstein pearls, physiological scaling/desquamation, erythema toxicum neonatorum, and milia. Certain changes such as Mongolian spots and erythema toxicum neonatorum showed associations with birth weight and gestational age.
Conclusion: Physiological skin changes are almost universal in neonates and are overwhelmingly benign. Familiarity with these transient changes allows clinicians to reassure parents, avoid unnecessary investigation and treatment, and reliably distinguish them from pathological conditions.

Keywords: neonate; newborn; physiological skin changes; transient neonatal dermatoses; Mongolian spot; erythema toxicum neonatorum

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21984381

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