What term describes the initial yellowish papules seen in newborns?

The term that describes the initial yellowish papules seen in newborns is erythema toxicum. This condition is commonly characterized by the appearance of small, yellowish papules over a red base, often appearing within the first few days of life. Erythema toxicum is a benign and self-limiting skin condition that typically resolves within one to two weeks without any treatment.

The presence of these papules is due to a benign inflammatory response to the newborn’s environment and is not indicative of any underlying health issue, which is why it is important for healthcare providers and parents to understand that it is a normal variation seen in newborns.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe this condition. For example, erythema refers to redness of the skin often due to irritation or infection, while stork bites are superficial capillary malformations that appear as flat pink marks on the nape of the neck or eyelids, and strawberry hemangiomas are raised, red tumors that may appear after a few weeks of life. Each of these conditions has different characteristics and implications, making erythema toxicum the most appropriate answer for this question.