24-day-old newborn with tinea capitis: A case report

ABSTRACT

Tinea capitis is a common childhood fungal infection that is extremely rare in newborns, with limited data available. Its clinical presentation may closely resemble that of other dermatological conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, neonatal lupus erythematosus and congenital syphilis. It is essential to make a definite diagnosis, as tinea capitis treatment requires systemic antifungal therapy. However, successful topical monotherapies have been reported. We report a rare case of neonatal tinea capitis diagnosed in a 24-day-old newborn, presenting with multiple scaly plaques on the scalp, discussing the diagnostic criteria, predisposing factors, appropriate treatment and preventive measures. The patient was treated with topical antifungal therapy, resulting in complete resolution within a week and no recurrence at the 2-year follow-up.