[Neonatal cutaneous hematopoiesis disclosing congenital rubella].

INTRODUCTION

Congenital rubella, which should disappear with widespread vaccination and mandatory obstetrical care, can occur as a purpuric eruption in the newborn. We report a case of blueberry muffin baby.

CASE REPORT: An infant delivered after an "uneventful" pregnancy presented a generalized "purpuric" eruption and had axial hypotonia. Histology of a biopsy showed evidence of cutaneous erythropoiesis. The complete workup led to the diagnosis of congenital rubella.

DISCUSSION: Cutaneous erythropoiesis is a well defined clinical and histological entity. There are several causes including infection and hematology disorders. Metastasis of a neuroblastoma, which must be eliminated by early biopsy, is the main differential diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Blueberry muffin rash is never idiopathic. The prognosis depends on the cause. Physicians should remember that congenital rubella has not yet been completely eradicated in France.