Cradle Cap in a Child with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic papulosquamous disease that affects both adults and infants. The incidence of SD was noted to increase in three age groups, in infants, during adolescence, and in adults. Seborrheic dermatitis presents as well-defined erythematous plaques with an oily appearance, yellowish scales of varying areas on the regions rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, retroauricular area, face (nasolabial folds, upper lip, eye creases and eyebrows), and chest. Cradle cap is a subset of infantile seborrheic dermatitis that is generally found on the scalp with oily scales that are yellowish and sticky. It is a very common, mostly self-limiting, chronic non-inflammatory scaling skin condition that presents between the third week and first couple months of life. Here we present a 3-year-old boy with a cradle cap and cerebral palsy. Complaints appeared for the first time on the scalp since the patient was 3 months old. On the scalp, there were found multiple erythematous patches, well-defined margin, mostly covered with oily, thick, white to yellowish scales on top of it. From the KOH 10% examination, spores as fungal elements were found. Dermoscopy on the scalp showed arborizing vessels, atypical red vessels, and thick, white to yellowish scales. By this patient’s age, the cradle cap should be self-limited. Treatment with steroid and antifungal topical made a good result, however the symptoms still recurring. The prognosis for cradle cap is generally well and self-limited. However, if the condition persists after 12 months of age, alternative diagnoses should be investigated further.