Ann Dermatol.  2011 Aug;23(3):382-385. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.382.

Neonatal Erythema Multiforme: A Case Report

• Cho YJ
• Huh SY
• Hong JS
• Jung JY
• Suh DH

• KMID: 2171935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.382

Abstract

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an extremely rare condition in infancy. To the best of our knowledge, there have been only three cases of neonatal EM described in the literature, and no such cases have been reported in Korea. A preterm neonate born at 35 weeks and six days of gestation presented with multiple annular erythematous patches with a targetoid shape over his entire body at 36 days of age (corrected age of 7 days). He had no systemic symptoms except for transient mild fever. No triggering factor except for hepatitis B and BCG vaccination was found. Neutropenia was noted upon laboratory analysis. Skin biopsy specimens showed findings suggestive of erythema multiforme. The skin lesions improved rapidly upon administration of intravenous methylprednisolone; however, neutropenia continued for a much longer period. The significance of neutropenia with respect to the development of EM was not clarified. There has been no recurrence of skin lesions over a one-year follow-up period.

Keyword

Erythema multiforme; Neonate; Neutropenia

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Erythema
Erythema Multiforme
Fever
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Korea
Mycobacterium bovis
Neutropenia
Pregnancy
Recurrence
Skin
Vaccination

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) The entire body was covered by well-defined erythematous patches with a targetoid shape. (B) Typical targetoid lesions on left leg.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Histologic section showing a lymphocytic infiltration in the upper dermis with papillary edema (H&E, ×200). (B) Vacuolar change in the basal cell layer (black arrow), and necrotic keratinocytes (white arrow) within the epidermis (H&E, ×400).

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