A Clinical Study of Dermatoses in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a Tertiary Health-Care Center

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal period is defined as the first 4 weeks of extrauterine life. The skin and appendages of the newborn present different features compared to adults. The imperative knowledge of normal phenomena and their differentiation from the more significant cutaneous disorders of the newborn is critical for dermatologists for timely intervention, which could facilitate a better therapeutic outcome. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based, observational, cross-sectional study of a total of 128 neonates with cutaneous manifestation from May 2021 to November 2021. Results were analyzed statistically. Results: Of all neonates examined, i.e., 128, 77 (60.15%) were male and 51 (39.85%) were female, with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1. 87 (67.96%) neonates were term, 35 (27.34%) were preterm, and 6 (4.68%) were postterm. 33 (25.78%) neonates had more than one cutaneous lesion. Of all the cutaneous lesions, physiological skin lesions were most common, which accounted for 70% of skin lesions, followed by iatrogenic 8%, transient noninfective conditions 5%, eczema 5%, developmental defects 4%, birthmarks 4%, and others 4%. Conclusion: Neonatal skin lesions are often physiological. Both dermatologists and pediatricians have to be aware of the course of the disease. Nursing mothers have to be explained the natural course of the skin lesions to reduce unnecessary anxiety; whereas to reduce iatrogenic infections, nursing staff has to be explained to handle newborn’s skin with care as they are sensitive.