Onychomycosis in a 10-Week-Old Infant

Abstract

To the Editor.— Onychomycosis, due to dermatophytes or Candida species, represents 40% of all nail disorders, and comprises 30% of all mycotic skin infections.^1,2 The rarity of onychomycosis in children has been attributed to faster linear nail growth with subsequent elimination of the fungus. Nail involvement with Candida albicans³ and Trichophyton rubrum⁴ have been reported. We present the case of a 10-week-old white female infant who presented with probable Candida onychomycosis. Report of a Case.— A 10-week-old white female infant was evaluated for dystrophic fingernails. She was the product of an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, and at 2 weeks of age, her mother first noticed the nail changes. There was no family history of psoriasis, Darier's disease, pachyonychia congenita, or lichen planus. The infant was born to parents with no known risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection, thus testing of the infant was not addressed. Examination