A newborn presents with a common epidermal condition characterized by small, white cysts on the face. What is this condition?

The condition characterized by small, white cysts on the face of a newborn is known as milia. Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts that often appear on the cheeks, nose, and forehead of infants. They occur when skin flakes become trapped in small pockets near the surface of the skin, and they are particularly common in newborns.

Milia are harmless and usually resolve on their own without any treatment within a few weeks to months. The appearance of these cysts in newborns is quite common and is often mistaken for other conditions, but their distinct presentation makes them easily identifiable.

In contrast, cutis marmorata refers to a lacy, mottled appearance of the skin that may be seen in newborns, particularly in response to temperature changes, rather than small white cysts. Congenital dermal melanocytosis, often referred to as Mongolian spots, presents as blue-gray or bruise-like patches on the skin but does not form cysts. Neonatal acne, which occurs due to maternal hormones affecting the infant's sebaceous glands, can lead to lesions that may resemble acne at a later stage, but it does not present as milia. This distinction highlights why milia is the correct identification for the