Neonatal dermatology can be particularly challenging.  In newborns, rashes which appear alarming may be very benign, while fairly subtle lesions may signify a life-threatening disorder. 

Visual aids can be quite helpful in identifying newborn skin lesions.  Dr. Buddy Cohen of The Johns Hopkins Hospital has assembled a website replete with dermatology images, including 481 pictures of neonatal pathology. The website can be accessed at:

http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/

Presented at Hot Topics in Neonatology 12/10/02.

Other helpful references include:

Textbook of Neonatal Dermatology by Lawrence F. Eichenfield, Ilona J. Frieden, and Nancy B. Esterly; published by W.B. Saunders Company, 2001.

Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology by Samuel Weinberg, et al; published by McGraw-Hill, 1997.

Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology by Bernard A. Cohen; published by Mosby, 1993.