Sebaceous hyperplasia in newborns is a transient condition, influenced by androgens, and it represents localized hypertrophy of sebaceous glands on the face. It is most prominent around the nose and upper lip, where the density of sebaceous glands is highest. In the newborn, circulating maternal hormones can stimulate sebaceous gland growth and activity leading to sebaceous hyperplasia. Sebaceous hyperplasia owes its appearance to enlarged mature sebocytes and increased sebaceous gland acini.
Sebaceous hyperplasia occurs in nearly half of term newborns with premature infants being less commonly affected.
Sebaceous hyperplasia in newborn
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L73.8 – Other specified follicular disorders
SNOMEDCT:
403852003 – Neonatal sebaceous gland hyperplasia
L73.8 – Other specified follicular disorders
SNOMEDCT:
403852003 – Neonatal sebaceous gland hyperplasia
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Milia – The papules of milia are typically discrete, solitary, and whiter in color compared to sebaceous hyperplasia.
- Acne neonatorum – Follicular-based papules that may have patulous ostia (open comedones) or smooth papules (closed comedones).
- Nevus sebaceus – Agminated yellow, waxy papules, also composed of sebocytes, may occur on the face. These usually coalesce into a plaque.
- Micronodular juvenile xanthogranulomas – Multiple yellow or red-brown papules, typically lacking a follicular basis, and individually larger than sebaceous hyperplasia.
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis – Some variants of self-limited congenital histiocytosis may present with multiple red-brown papules.
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:08/30/2021
Last Updated:09/07/2021
Last Updated:09/07/2021
Sebaceous hyperplasia in newborn