World Applied Sciences Journal 20 (10): 1328-1331, 2012 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2012.20.10.348 Corresponding Author: Doulat Rai Bajaj, Department of Dermatology Liaquat University of Medical, and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Tel: +92222913160, +923003076504. 1328 INFANTILE ACNE: A Clinical and Therapeutic Study of 12 Patients Doulat Rai Bajaj, Bikha Ram Devrajani and Salma Shaikh 1 2 3 Department of Dermatology Liaquat University of 1 Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/ Hyderabad, Pakistan Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of 2 Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro/ Hyderabad, Pakistan Paeditric Unit -I and Dean Faculty, of Medicine and Allied, 3 Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro/ Hyderabad, Pakistan Abstract: To evaluate the clinical pattern and therapeutic outcome of acne in infants. Case series. The study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals from year 2000 to 2007. The babies below 24 months of age with history of inflammatory and non inflammatory lesions at face for at least two consecutive months were evaluated and enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of acne was essentially clinical. After taking detailed history from parents the number, type, severity and location of lesions were noted. The grading was done by using standard method. The patients were advised treatment and asked for follow up visit every month. The data obtained were collected, saved and analyzed in SPSS version 10.00. Only 12 subjects were registered during the seven year period. Their ages ranged between 2 and 22 months (mean 6.9 ± 5.77 months). Nine (75%) were boys and 3 (25%) girls. The skin lesions detected were: comedones in 4 (33%), papules & pustules 5 (42%) and combination of these in 3 (25%) subjects. One patient (8.33%) had additional cystic lesion. The number of lesions ranged from 3 to 16 with a mean of 8 lesions. The commonest site was cheeks followed by forehead and chin. The average duration at the time of presentation ranged from 08 to 20 months. The infantile acne is a rare but important disorder to be aware of. Our study confirms male predominance. It most commonly presents with inflammatory lesions. Treatment principles are same as in adult acne. Key words: Infantile acne Acne infantum Clinical pattern Treatment INTRODUCTION association) and hormonal disturbances such as elevated Acne is an inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous hormone (FSH) and testosterone have been described as unit characterized by comedones, papules, pustules, contributing factors [4] but most patients do not show cysts and scars. It most commonly appears around any demonstrable abnormality. Therefore measurement of puberty, but can occur in people of all ages [1]. The these hormones is only justified in more severe forms of infants and newborn are not exception. The Infantile acne acne. The disease needs to be differentiated from other is a rare disorder and refers to acne with an onset neonatal disorders i.e. neonatal cephalic pustulosis [5] occurring from 1 to 16 months of age. It is distinguished and neonatal sebaceous gland hyperplasia [6], infectious from newborn or baby acne by its persistence beyond the pyoderma, pilomatrixoma, dermoid cyst and infant rosacea age of 2 months. The lesions are similar to adolescent [7]. acne [2]. The boys are more than the girls. The prevalence The course of the disease is variable. The lesions of infantile acne reported is 1.57% [3]. disappear in most cases after 1 to 2 years; although in The cause for infantile acne has not yet been some cases these resolve by age 4 or 5 years. Severe identified. Although positive family history (genetic infantile acne may result in permanent scarring [2]. levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating