Neonatal acne, also known as acne neonatorum, is an acneiform eruption that occurs in newborns or infants within the first 4-6 weeks of life, and presents with open and closed comedones on the cheeks, chin and forehead.The main cause is not known for certain but it may be caused by maternal androgens transferred from the mother to the newborn from the placenta and androgens produced by the fetal adrenal gland and neonatal testicles that stimulate sebaceous glands to increase production of sebum. As a self-limiting condition, neonatal acne tends to resolve on its own but treatment options can include topical benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and topical antifungals. Signs and Symptoms
Neonatal acne presents from birth to within the first 4-6 weeks of life. Common symptoms are open and closed comedones such as papules and pustules that occur most commonly on the face on the areas of the cheeks, chin and forehead. Less commonly, lesions can be present on the chest and back. Causes
It is believed that maternal androgens passed to the infant through the placenta has a role in stimulating sebaceous glands leading to increased sebum production that causes comedone formation.
This may be in cases more suggestive of neonatal cephalic pustulosis than neonatal acne. Epidemiology
20% of newborns will develop neonatal acne however there has been debate if this is an accurate representation of actual diagnosed cases of acne as this could include other acneiform eruptions that do not present with comedones like neonatal cephalic pustulosis. Neonatal acne occurs more often in boys than in girls. See also
Acne aestivalis
Infantile acne
List of cutaneous conditions

References
Further reading
Katsambas AD, Katoulis AC, Stavropoulos P (February 1999). "Acne neonatorum: a study of 22 cases". Int. J. Dermatol. 38 (2): 128–30. doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00638.x. PMID 10192162. OConnor NR, McLaughlin MR, Ham P (January 2008). "Newborn skin: Part I. Common rashes". Am Fam Physician. 77 (1): 47–52. PMID 18236822.