A prospective study of cutaneous findings in newborns in the United States: correlation with race, ethnicity, and gestational status using updated classification and nomenclature.

OBJECTIVE: To provide incidence data based on ethnicity, prematurity, and body site for vascular, pigmented, and other common congenital cutaneous findings; to compare these results with previously published prospective studies; and to define updated nomenclature, classification, clinical course, and prognostic factors for the pediatric practitioner to promote a better understanding of benign versus more worrisome birthmarks. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study enrolled 594 infants in San Diego, California. Cutaneous examination was performed by pediatric dermatologists in the first 48 hours of life, with subsequent longitudinal contact via telephone, and repeat evaluations if any new lesions were reported by parents. Incidence rates were calculated by ethnicity and prematurity status. RESULTS: The most common vascular lesion was nevus simplex (83%), followed by infantile hemangioma (4.5% by age 3 months), capillary malformation (0.3%), and rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (0.3%). Pigmented lesions seen at birth included dermal melanocytosis (20%), congenital melanocytic nevi (2.4%), and café au lait macules (2%). Other common skin findings were erythema toxicum neonatorum (7%), milia (8%), and sebaceous gland hyperplasia (42.6%). CONCLUSION: This study of congenital cutaneous lesions, using current nomenclature and data acquired by pediatric cutaneous lesion experts, provides data regarding the role of race and ethnicity in the incidence of birthmarks, and provides valid data on the prevalence of infantile hemangioma.

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis: concern for a poor prognosis.

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis (CSHRH) is a rare type of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with potential for relapse and systemic involvement. Whereas CSHRH was traditionally considered a benign disease, there is an approximately 3 percent risk of mortality and a 10 percent chance of relapse. This article, using an extensive review of cases since Hashimoto and Pritzker first described the condition in 1973, highlights the various presentations of CSHRH and reveals high rates of relapse and systemic involvement in cases that specifically address features of CSHRH occurring within the first year of life. The findings from this review will highlight the importance of considering LCH in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a neonate with congenital skin eruptions. Timely diagnosis of CSHRH and treatment of systemic involvement may decrease the likelihood of adverse outcomes. These patients may require closer follow-up and monitoring than previously recommended, especially in the first year of life when relapses and systemic involvement occur most frequently.

Histoplasmosis presenting as a cutaneous malignancy of the eyelid.

Cutaneous histoplasmosis is an uncommon infection and can occur as a primary infection. A manifestation imitating a cutaneous neoplasm is rare, and eyelid involvement is rarer still. The authors report a case of histoplasmosis that presented as an ulcerated lesion on the lower eyelid margin that clinically resembled a basal cell carcinoma. Given its worldwide distribution, it is important to include this disease in the differential diagnosis of nonhealing eyelid lesions. Biopsy and tissue culture are paramount to establishing the diagnosis. This case describes a rare presentation of histoplasmosis on the eyelid and highlights the importance of histopathologic evaluation.