Dermatology: transient neonatal pustular melanosis: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Dermatology: transient neonatal pustular melanosis

Sample item

A newborn has pustules present at birth that rupture, leaving collarettes of scale and hyperpigmented macules. Smear shows neutrophils. What is the course?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Benign, with pustules clearing in days and pigmentation fading over weeks to months

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is a benign neonatal condition, more common in dark skin, with pustules present at birth that evolve into pigmented macules. The smear is neutrophil rich. No treatment is required.

Option by option

  • A. Benign, with pustules clearing in days and pigmentation fading over weeks to months (correct)

    Correct. It is benign and self-resolving.

  • B. Progresses to epidermolysis bullosa

    It does not progress to epidermolysis bullosa.

  • C. Needs lifelong therapy

    No long-term treatment is needed.

  • D. Requires intravenous acyclovir

    Acyclovir is not needed.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Benign, with pustules clearing in days and pigmentation fading over weeks to months. Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is a benign neonatal condition, more common in dark skin, with pustules present at birth that evolve into pigmented macules.

Why is "Progresses to epidermolysis bullosa" not the answer?

It does not progress to epidermolysis bullosa.

Why is "Needs lifelong therapy" not the answer?

No long-term treatment is needed.

Why is "Requires intravenous acyclovir" not the answer?

Acyclovir is not needed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatology: transient neonatal pustular melanosis in Dermatology. The smear is neutrophil rich. No treatment is required.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dermatology: transient neonatal pustular melanosis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.