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

Folliculitis occurs due to inflammation of the superficial hair follicle, resulting in follicularly centered papules and pustules.
The etiology of folliculitis can be variable, with bacterial, fungal (eg, candidiasis), viral, parasitic, and noninfectious causes reported. A detailed history of comorbid conditions, exposures, and medications, in conjunction with appropriate ancillary testing, can be helpful.
In infants in particular, infectious folliculitis should be considered. While Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis is commonly seen in adults and older children, it has been rarely reported in infants. Statistically, children in day care facilities are at higher risk for community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, so suspicion should be high.
Noninfectious folliculitis may also be considered. Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis is a variant of Ofuji disease and is characterized by pruritic pustules on the scalp and peripheral leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Numerous cases of this arising during infancy have been reported.
Related topic: immunosuppression-associated eosinophilic folliculitis
The etiology of folliculitis can be variable, with bacterial, fungal (eg, candidiasis), viral, parasitic, and noninfectious causes reported. A detailed history of comorbid conditions, exposures, and medications, in conjunction with appropriate ancillary testing, can be helpful.
In infants in particular, infectious folliculitis should be considered. While Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis is commonly seen in adults and older children, it has been rarely reported in infants. Statistically, children in day care facilities are at higher risk for community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, so suspicion should be high.
Noninfectious folliculitis may also be considered. Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis is a variant of Ofuji disease and is characterized by pruritic pustules on the scalp and peripheral leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Numerous cases of this arising during infancy have been reported.
Related topic: immunosuppression-associated eosinophilic folliculitis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L73.8 – Other specified follicular disorders
SNOMEDCT:
13600006 – Folliculitis
L73.8 – Other specified follicular disorders
SNOMEDCT:
13600006 – Folliculitis
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Neonatal infections with pustules:
Noninfectious dermatoses with pustules:
Noninfectious dermatoses with pustules:
- Erythema toxicum neonatorum
- Transient neonatal pustular melanosis
- Neonatal cephalic pustulosis
- Acropustulosis of infancy
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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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.
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References
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Last Reviewed:03/01/2017
Last Updated:08/16/2021
Last Updated:08/16/2021

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Folliculitis in Infant/Neonate
See also in: Anogenital,Hair and Scalp