Skin colonization by Malassezia species in neonates: a prospective study and relationship with neonatal cephalic pustulosis.

Objectives: To assess skin colonization by Malassezia species in full-term healthy newborns, to investigate factors associated with colonization, and to look at acnelike cephalic pustulosis associated with this carriage.

Design: Samples were obtained from neonates and their mothers 0 to 5 days after birth and again 3 weeks later. Clinical patterns of common acnelike pustulosis were reported as mild (<10 papulopustules), moderate (> or =10 papulopustules), or absent.