Colonization of neonate skin by Malassezia species: relationship with neonatal cephalic pustulosis

Abstract

Background: Colonization of neonate skin by Malassezia species and their causative role in neonatal cephalic pustulosis is unclear.

Objectives: We sought to determine the skin colonization by Malassezia in healthy newborns, and to investigate its association with neonatal cephalic pustulosis.

Methods: Samples for Malassezia colonization were taken from cheeks and scalps of 104 neonates between 24 and 72 hours after birth, and again 2 or 4 weeks later. Pustules were sampled with concomitant nonlesional skin cultures if neonatal cephalic pustulosis was diagnosed.

Results: Malassezia colonization increased significantly with age of the neonate (5% at the first week, 30% at 2-4 weeks). In all, 26 patients were given the diagnosis of neonatal cephalic pustulosis during follow-up. No correlation was found between the severity of the disease and Malassezia isolation. Skin colonization of patients with neonatal cephalic pustulosis (20.8%) was not higher than colonization of healthy newborns (37%).

Limitations: Not all of the neonates were examined by the authors at the second visit.

Conclusions: Malassezia colonization increases after the first week of life. No correlation was found between neonatal cephalic pustulosis and Malassezia.