Advances in pharmacotherapeutic management of common skin diseases in neonates and infants

Calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 as a therapeutic target in allergic skin diseases

Allergic skin disease is the most common skin condition, and considerably affects patients' life quality because of its recurrence and pruritus. Numbers of studies point out that immune cells, including mast cells and T cells, play pathogenic roles in allergic skin diseases, and share similarities in the activation and secretion of cytokines. Calcium Release-Activated Calcium Modulator 1(CRACM1/ORAI1) is a subtype of Ca²⁺ membrane channel, causing Ca²⁺ influx into the cells. As a second messenger, Ca²⁺ is an essential element that regulates immune responses, especially in the development and function of T and B cells. Thus, ORAI1 is considered to participate in allergic diseases. However, the specific mechanism of ORAI1 in skin disorders is still unclear. In order to investigate the roles of ORAI1 in allergic skin disorders, we reviewed the related articles and concluded that ORAI1 could be a potential therapeutic target for allergic skin diseases.

Skin lesions in preterm and term newborns from Southern Italy and their relationship to neonatal, parental and pregnancy-related variables

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous lesions are common in the neonatal period and usually physiological, transient and self-limited; infrequently, they are pathological and require treatment and collaboration between dermatologists and neonatologists. Particular conditions, like prematurity, can influence onset, type and evolution of cutaneous manifestations. Of the several articles in literature about skin findings in newborns, only few were performed in Southern European countries. We aimed to investigate dermatological findings in a sample of neonates within the first 7 days of life and to evaluate the association between skin lesions and neonatal, parental or pregnancy-related variables.

METHODS

A total of 259 newborns, hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Barone Romeo Hospital, Patti (Messina), Italy, during a six months period, were examined. All skin findings were recorded and information on neonatal, parental and pregnancy-related variables was collected and analyzed to detect statistically significant associations.

RESULTS

Skin lesions were present in 181 newborns (69.88%). Their frequency was significantly higher in those born to primigravida mothers (P=0.024). Erythema toxicum neonatorum prevalence was significantly higher (P=0.006) in term newborns.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin findings are frequent in newborns and often cause concern in parents and physicians without specific experience. Thus, it is important to know and identify them promptly to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.