Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What condition might a 2-week-old infant displaying scaly skin and desquamation likely have?

1. Acrodermatitis enteropathica

2. Essential fatty acid deficiency

3. Ichthyosis vulgaris

4. Atopic dermatitis

The correct answer is: Essential fatty acid deficiency

The condition that a 2-week-old infant exhibiting scaly skin and desquamation is likely to have is essential fatty acid deficiency. This condition can present in neonates with clinical signs such as dry, scaly skin, and desquamation, especially in the early weeks of life. Essential fatty acids are critical for skin health and overall cellular function. When there is a deficiency, the skin can become compromised, leading to a loss of barrier function and resulting in dryness and scaling. In contrast, the other conditions listed typically have additional or different presentations. Acrodermatitis enteropathica, for instance, is characterized by dermatitis in areas of contact with moisture due to zinc deficiency and is associated with diarrhea; it is not prominent in the early neonatal period. Ichthyosis vulgaris tends to present with more extreme scaling and a family history of the abnormal condition. Atopic dermatitis usually appears later and often involves a history of atopy or allergic conditions in the family; it also commonly presents with more inflammatory lesions rather than just scaling. Thus, the signs described align closely with essential fatty acid deficiency, making it the most likely diagnosis in this scenario.