Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum Follow-up

  • Author: Neil F Gibbs, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 24, 2012
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Most erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN) cases resolve within 3-4 days after onset without residua.
  • Rare recurrences are seen in a small number of patients up to age 6 weeks. In these instances, follow-up examination may be needed.
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Complications

  • No complications of erythema toxicum neonatorum have been reported.
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Prognosis

  • Prognosis of erythema toxicum neonatorum is excellent with spontaneous resolution.
  • Erythema toxicum neonatorum may recur in approximately 11% of patients up to age 6 weeks. Recurrences tend to be mild and resolve without sequelae.
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Patient Education

  • Reassure parents that erythema toxicum neonatorum is not inherited or infectious, has no complications, and has an excellent prognosis with spontaneous resolution.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Neil F Gibbs, MD  Voluntary Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine; Program Director, Pediatric Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego

Neil F Gibbs, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert Huff, MD, Dermatology, Inc 

Robert Huff, MD, Dermatology, Inc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Eleanor E Sahn, MD  Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Associate Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

Eleanor E Sahn, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Trisha C Beute, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth

Trisha C Beute, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Eleanor E Sahn, MD  Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Associate Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

Eleanor E Sahn, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Van Perry, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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