Abstract
Multiple papulonodular skin lesions at birth can indicate the presence of various benign and malignant disorders. Although the lesions’ clinical aspect (color and consistency, in particular) may steer the clinician towards one disorder or another (infantile myofibromatosis, xanthogranuloma, or metastatic neuroblastoma), the diagnosis can only be confirmed by the histopathologic assessment of a biopsy. In neonates, a rapid but accurate diagnosis is critical because skin lesions may be the first manifestation of a malignant disorder like leukemia cutis or metastatic neuroblastoma. Here, we review the various disorders that may manifest themselves as multiple skin lesions at birth.
Highlights
Skin lesions that develop at birth or within the first weeks of life may variously be papular, nodular, ulcerated, or crusted
Skin lesions at birth have several possible causes, and it is important to bear in mind that malignant conditions can appear at this early age
Infantile choriocarcinoma is a rare, highly malignant germ cell tumor that arises from the placenta
Summary
Skin lesions that develop at birth or within the first weeks of life (i.e., during the neonatal period) may variously be papular, nodular, ulcerated, or crusted. The clinical findings alone are usually insufficient for a firm diagnosis, and a skin biopsy is usually necessary. Skin lesions at birth have several possible causes, and it is important to bear in mind that malignant conditions can appear at this early age. Skin metastases may be the revealing signs of malignant neoplasms in neonates [1]. When multiple skin lesions are observed, the physician must do everything possible to deliver an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible and rule out malignancy if necessary. The skin biopsy should be as large and deep as possible and should be cut into two pieces, one of which should be frozen in case cytogenetic tests are subsequently needed. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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