title: Epidemiologic study of the predisposing factors in erythema toxicum neonatorum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN) is a very common disease, but its predisposing factors are still unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the predisposing factors of ETN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred and eighty-three neonates born in the same hospital during the same period were investigated, and the factors predisposing to ETN were evaluated in a case-control study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) The incidence of ETN is about 43.68%, and it is significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). (2) Term birth (p < 0.05), first-pregnancy birth (p < 0.001), the birth season (summer and autumn, p < 0.005), being fed with milk powder substitute or a mixed diet (p < 0.001) and vaginal delivery (p < 0.001) are the predisposing factors of ETN. (3) The severity of ETN in neonates born by vaginal delivery is significantly correlated with the total length of labor (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that environmental factors play an important role in the onset of ETN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. drliuchao2004@163.com
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Huiqun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xinwu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Qianli
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Xianqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhongwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution