Survey of skin disorders in newborns: clinical observation in an Egyptian medical centre nursery.

The frequency of neonatal skin disorders has not been well studied in Egypt. Our aim was to address patterns of dermatological changes in a sample of Egyptian newborns. In a descriptive prospective cohort study 600 newborns in Sohag University hospital nursery were dermatologically examined within the first 5 days of birth. Skin disorders were detected in 240 neonates (40.0%). Birthmarks were found in 100 neonates (16.7%), mainly melanocytic type (mongolian spots in 11.7% and congenital melanocytic naevi in 2.7%). Fungal skin infections, including oral moniliasis, fungal infection in the napkin area or candidal intertrigo, were detected in 13.3% and bacterial infections in 1.3% of neonates. Comparisons with other studies worldwide indicated a higher rate of fungal infections and lower rate of birthmarks in our study. Routine neonatal dermatological evaluation is recommended, especially in view of the high rate of fungal skin infections.