Neonatal acne

Acne neonatorum ( synonym: Neugeborenenakne, Baby Acne, Acne infantilis, Säuglingsakne ) refers to acne that manifests itself in the neonatal period. Previously the term was mistakenly synonymous with the Pityrosporumfollikulitis the infant, also known as neonatal cephalic pustulosis used.

Epidemiology

Acne neonatorum may exist or develop in the first weeks of life before birth. It occurs in about 20 percent of newborns. Most male newborns are affected (ratio male: female is 4:1).

Diagnostics

Sufferers have on the cheeks, forehead and chin to rare, noninflammatory closed comedo. With stronger diseases also open comedones, papules and pustules with pus are present.

If the face of the newborn only drawn by papules and pustules without comedones are present, which speaks for a neonatal cephalic pustulosis.

Causes and course of the disease

As a possible endogenous cause endocrine changes in the fetal period are discussed. Adrenal Betahydroxysteroide could stimulate the sebaceous glands. In addition, a symptom of adrenal hyperplasia with adrenogenital syndrome (21- hydroxylase deficiency ), the acne neonatorum be in rare cases.

A possible exogenous factor is maternal hormones that are fed to transplacentally or via breast milk.

In general, the Neugeborenenakne heals without scarring within three, rarely six months after onset.