Neonatal Pustular Melanosis 

  • Author: Robert A Silverman, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 16, 2009
 

Background

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is a benign, self-limited condition of unknown etiology.[1] Historically, the disorder was lumped together with vesicular and bullous lesions and called pemphigus neonatorum. It was not described as a separate entity until 1976, although it may have been recognized as early as 1961 and published under the name of lentiginosis neonatorum.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Few reports of large numbers of screened infants are available; however, incidence has been reported to be as much as 2.2% in white infants and 4.4% in black infants.

Mortality/Morbidity

Neonatal pustular melanosis is a completely benign condition that is not known to cause any long-term sequelae.[2]

Race

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is common in black infants. It can be observed in all racial groups, especially those with darker constitutive pigmentation, Latinos, South Asians, and those of Mediterranean extraction.

Age

The eruption is always present at birth but the clinical appearance or stage may vary.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Silverman, MD  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University; Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, University of Virginia at Charlottesville

Robert A Silverman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Esterly NB, eds. Neonatal Dermatology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:142.

  2. O'Connor NR, McLaughlin MR, Ham P. Newborn skin: Part I. Common rashes. Am Fam Physician. Jan 1 2008;77(1):47-52. [Medline].

  3. Morgan AJ, Steen CJ, Schwartz RA, Janniger CK. Erythema toxicum neonatorum revisited. Cutis. Jan 2009;83(1):13-6. [Medline].

  4. Farnaroff AA, Martin RJ, eds. The skin. In: Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Diseases of the Fetus and Infant. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1992:1333-4.

  5. Ferrandiz C, Coroleu W, Ribera M, Lorenzo JC, Natal A. Sterile transient neonatal pustulosis is a precocious form of erythema toxicum neonatorum. Dermatology. 1992;185(1):18-22. [Medline].

  6. Merlob P, Metzker A, Reisner SH. Transient neonatal pustular melanosis. Am J Dis Child. Jun 1982;136(6):521-2. [Medline].

  7. Ramamurthy RS, Reveri M, Esterly NB. Transient neonatal pustular melanosis. J Pediatr. May 1976;88(5):831-5. [Medline].

 
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