Seborrheic dermatitis in Infant/Neonate
See also in: Anogenital,Hair and ScalpAlerts and Notices
Synopsis

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis also may affect the diaper area where it may be confused with irritant diaper dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Distinguishing features of seborrheic dermatitis include yellowish scale and the involvement, rather than sparing, of the folded areas themselves. In girls, linear fissures in the interlabial cleft of the vulva are sometimes suggestive of seborrheic dermatitis. Genital seborrheic dermatitis may be complicated by a secondary bacterial or candidal infection.
Codes
ICD10CM:L21.9 – Seborrheic dermatitis, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
50563003 – Seborrheic dermatitis
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
The most difficult diagnoses to separate from infantile seborrheic dermatitis are contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis more often involves the face and flexural areas and is associated with a family history of other atopic conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis). Contact dermatitis (diaper dermatitis) caused by the irritant effects of urine and feces typically spares the deep body folds for lack of contact with the skin.Psoriasis is extremely uncommon in neonates and infants.
When localized in the diaper area, dermatoses to consider include the following:
- Candidiasis
- Psoriasis – Consider in those with particularly difficult-to-remove scales; examine the patient in locations characteristic for psoriasis.
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Tinea cruris
- Intertrigo
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Scabies
- Kawasaki disease
- Sexual abuse
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica
- Lichen sclerosus
- Perianal streptococcal infection
- Congenital syphilis
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:02/13/2017
Last Updated:03/21/2017
Last Updated:03/21/2017
Seborrheic dermatitis in Infant/Neonate
See also in: Anogenital,Hair and Scalp