Congenital cutaneous candidiasis (CCC) is an uncommon and potentially serious condition resulting from infection with Candida spp. acquired in utero. Approximately 100 cases have been reported. Infants present within the first 6 days of life with a broad range of cutaneous findings ranging from a few erythematous papules to a diffuse desquamating erosive dermatitis. Neonatal candidiasis, by contrast, is acquired by passage through an infected birth canal. These patients present after the first week of life with diaper dermatitis or thrush.
The etiology is thought to be untreated maternal vaginal candidiasis ascending into the uterine cavity. In several instances, identical isotypes of Candida spp. have been cultured from vaginal swabs of the mother in cases of CCC, regardless of method of delivery (cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery). Major risk factors include external instrumentation (ie, presence of an intrauterine device, amniocentesis, fetal monitoring, or cerclage) and prematurity.
Symptoms include a spectrum of cutaneous manifestations ranging from erythematous papules to diffuse desquamative dermatitis. CCC typically follows a benign, self-limited course in full-term infants. However, in pre-term or low-birthweight infants, severe cutaneous manifestations can herald systemic involvement. These infants will often have respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation, and in the most severe cases, leukocytosis, fever, and overt sepsis. Those at greatest risk for systemic involvement with a poor outcome are neonates younger than 27 weeks gestational age and weighing less than 1000 g at birth. Prompt recognition of CCC and initiation of systemic antifungal therapy are of utmost importance in the management of these infants.
CCC should be considered in the postdelivery period for all newborns with skin findings, pulmonary infiltrates, or elevated leukocyte count.
Erythema toxicum neonatorum presents during the second or third day of life, with small follicular papules and pustules and surrounding erythema. Smears of pustules will demonstrate eosinophils, but no organisms will be seen.
Listeria monocytogenes infection (see neonatal listeriosis) presents in the newborn period with diffuse petechiae / papules / pustules, typically in infants with meconium exposure. Smears of pustules will show gram-positive rods, and culture is confirmatory.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection can present similarly. A Tzanck preparation, viral culture, and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will confirm the diagnosis.
Syphilis may present with bullae, particularly on the palms and soles, with pustules and ulcerations also noted. Infants will often have negative serologic work-up; thus, diagnosis rests with maternal exam.
Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited blistering disorders that often presents with bullae and erosions in the newborn period. Accurate diagnosis rests on clinical presentation, histology, gene mutation mapping, electron microscopic studies, and/or immunofluorescent mapping.
