Blisters and pustules in the newborn

Congenital self-healing histiocytosis (Hashimoto-Pritzker)

BACKGROUND

Congenital self-healing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (CSHLCH) is a rare condition, initially seen at birth or in the neonatal period, with generalized papules, vesicles, or nodules. Affected infants are otherwise well and the skin lesions tend to involute spontaneously within weeks to months.

METHODS

Twelve patients with CSHLCH were seen from 1989 to 1998.

RESULTS

Eight patients were girls and four were boys and all presented with lesions at birth which disappeared 1-3 months later. The lesions consisted of numerous brownish-red papules, papulovesicles, crusts, and nodules distributed on the face, limbs, palms, and soles. Two patients had oral mucosal lesions, and one had ulcerated lesions that evolved leaving hypochromic macules. Light microscopy showed a histiocytic infiltrate in the papillary dermis with epidermotrophism. Two cases were studied by electron microscopy: the Langerhans cells showed Birbeck granules and laminated corpus in their cytoplasm. Immunomarking with S100 protein was performed in all 12 patients and was positive. CD1 was also tested in four cases and was positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Because CSHLCH is a rare condition, we emphasize that, although it is usually a benign, self-limited entity, careful evaluation for systemic disease must be performed and long-term follow-up must be carried out to detect evidence of relapse or progression of the disease; this is essential when treating these patients.

Cutaneous congenital candidiasis: a case report

Candida albicans is a frequent pathogen of the female genital tract, especially during pregnancy. Congenital candidiasis can occur as cutaneous or disseminated infection. We report a case of congenital cutaneous candidiasis, which may occur more frequently than is indicated by the literature. This is followed by a discussion of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this infection.

Congenital "self-healing" Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the need for long-term follow-up

Congenital self-healing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (CSHLCH) is a rare disorder initially seen at birth or in the newborn period with spontaneously involuting skin lesions. In contrast to other forms of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in infancy, such as Letterer-Siwe disease, the prognosis of CSHLCH is generally good. We describe four children with widespread CSHLCH at birth. In all patients a congenital infection was initially suspected. All patients, except one who had transient lower extremity edema and pulmonary symptoms, had an uncomplicated neonatal course, and in all patients skin lesions resolved spontaneously. Two patients showed no further evidence of disease, but one had a cutaneous relapse at age 3 months, and in another a bony relapse that required systemic therapy developed at 6 months of age. CSHLCH is usually a benign, self-limited condition, but careful evaluation for systemic disease must be performed. Long-term follow-up for evidence of relapse or progression of disease is essential.