Acne vulgaris is uncommon in infancy. Although nonspecific follicular occlusion is frequently seen due to application of oils to the face, true acne is unusual. The following is a case report of infantile acne with evaluation of 17-ketosteroids in this dermatosis.
Report of Case
This 14-month-old male infant was first seen at 3 months of age. The mother stated that the baby had "face bumps" since the first week of life. This eruption never cleared but became progressively worse until the time of seeking medical help. On thorough history and physical examination, the infant showed normal growth and development with the only abnormality being the facial dermatosis showing the typical picture of acne as might be seen in a teen-ager, with true comedones, inflamed papules, and small pustules localized to the face. These were most prominent on the cheeks (Figure). No history of application of oils or ointments to the