Skin lesions in the neonate

Abstract

Neonatal skin provides physical protection and assists in fluid balance,immunosurveillance, and thermoregulation; thus, playing a vital role in the newborn's transition from an aqueous to an air-dominant environment. Worried parents often seek medical attention from their child's physician regarding skin lesions. Thus,a working knowledge of both normal and abnormal cutaneous lesions of the neonate is required to properly address these issues. In this article, the authors briefly discuss transient benign lesions,pustular and vesicular infections, "birthmarks" (vascular and pigmentary lesions), common congenital abnormalities, select blistering disorders, and various other skin conditions.