Final answer:
The skin condition in newborns that consists of closed comedones on the forehead, nose, and cheeks is milia. Other conditions such as erythema toxicum neonatorum, neonatal acne, and neonatal herpes do not present in the same way. It's important to distinguish between these different skin conditions, as their causes and treatments may vary significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer to your question is: a) Milia.
Milia are small, whitish, hard bumps on the skin, often found on the faces of newborns. They appear as closed comedones, meaning they are not open to the skin's surface. These are not cause for concern and typically disappear within a few weeks of birth.
To delve a bit further, let's consider the other options. b) Erythema toxicum neonatorum is common in newborns, characterized by an irregular red rash that can appear on several parts of the body. c) Neonatal acne, contrary to its name, is not the same as adolescent or adult acne and generally clears within a few months. d) Neonatal herpes is far more serious, caused by exposure to herpes simplex virus during childbirth and can lead to serious complications if not treated.
It may be useful to clarify, closed comedones are non-inflamed skin-coloured papules. When open to the skin's surface, they are known as blackheads, and the white or yellow plug can oxidize, turning black. This oxidation is why blackheads get their name. This process can occur when hair follicles get clogged up with dead skin cells and oils. When these elements are exposed to air, they can oxidize and darken, creating open comedones, or blackheads.
Acne in neonates or infancy (Acne neonatorum) can be mistaken for milia but usually clears up without specific treatment within weeks or a few months. It is theorized that either certain maternal hormones stimulate the baby's dormant oil glands, causing pimples, or possibly substances in the amniotic fluid can do so.
Therefore, out of the options given, it is milia that consists of closed comedones on the forehead, nose, and cheeks in newborns.
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