Phototherapy-induced Purpuric Eruption in a Neonate

Phototherapy is commonly utilized in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. The authors observed a rare cutaneous complication of visible blue light phototherapy in a neonate with hyperbilirubinemia. A three-day-old neonate was evaluated for a purpuric rash after initiation of phototherapy for treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. Cutaneous examination revealed purpuric, nonblanching, well-demarcated lesions on the chest, abdomen, arms, and chin with sparing at shielded sites. The history, physical examination, and laboratory results support the diagnosis of purpuric phototherapy-induced eruption. The authors present a case report of this uncommon cutaneous eruption in a transfused neonate undergoing phototherapy for treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn.