Acne neonatorum in the eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Acne neonatorum (AN) is characterized by a facial eruption of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions in a neonate. Hyperactivity of sebaceous glands, stimulated by neonatal androgens, is implicated in its pathogenesis.

AIM: To elucidate the clinical profile of AN in eastern Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed with AN in King Fahd Hospital of the University in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the year 2005 were evaluated clinically.

RESULTS

AN was diagnosed in 26 patients (male/female ratio 1:1). The lesions included mainly facial comedones (30.8%); papules and pustules (15.3% each); and combination of papules, pustules, and cysts (53.4%).

CONCLUSION

All patients recovered spontaneously. In 50% of the cases, one of the parents reported having had acne vulgaris during adolescence. Hereditary factors seem to play a significant role in our series.