Bacterial and candidal cutaneous infections in the neonate

The skin and oral cavity of the neonate are colonized by a variety of organisms during the first few days of life. Some of these organisms constitute normal flora, but others are true pathogens or are capable of pathogenicity when host or environmental factors are altered in their favor. Cutaneous bacterial and yeast infections that afflict the newborn are discussed in terms of clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation, and appropriate management.