Neonatal staphylococcal cold abscess

Case Presentation

A 12-day-old full-term newborn with no relevant medical history presented with bilateral inguinal nodules of four days' evolution, without fever or associated systemic symptoms. Physical examination revealed several fluctuant nodules up to 1 cm in size, with moderate perilesional erythema ([Fig. 1]). Blood tests showed no alterations, and the lesions were subsequently drained. Culture of the purulent exudate isolated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The patient was discharged with topical antibiotic treatment, showing a favorable clinical course. The patient is currently asymptomatic and has not experienced any recurrence.

Fig. 1 Clinical photograph of the patient at diagnosis. Several abscessed inguinal nodules are visible, accompanied by moderate perilesional erythema in the surrounding skin.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 January 2026

• References

• 1 Gelmetti A, Galletti S, Corvaglia LT. et al. Cold abscesses of the newborn: A new pathogenetic hypothesis. Clin Exp Dermatol Ther 2023; 8: 208
• 2 Bravo P, Bravo J, Merino M. et al. Absceso frío estafilocócico en un neonato. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria 2022; 24: 305-306
• 3 Hubiche T, Chiaverini C, Goujon E. et al. Multiple neonatal staphylococcal cold abscesses in large skin folds: a benign neonatal skin infection. JEADV 2019; 33: e125-e128