NEONATAL SCABIES

Between 1981 and 1991, eleven infants (ranging in age from 2 to 9 mont hs) were hospitalized in our department for evaluation of microscopica lly verified scabies infestations. Six presented signs of Norwegian sc abies. All of the latter infants had been treated (prior to the scabie s infestation) for long periods with topical steroids, in most cases f or lesions suggestive of atopic dermatitis. We believe that the Occurr ence of the Norwegian form in these newborns was due to localized ster oid-induced suppression of the normal immune response.