a case report of neonatal pediculosis: a simple challenge, yet complex

Background: neonatal pediculosis is a problem the magnitude of which has not been estimated; however, it is regarded as a diagnostic challenge and becomes one of the management challenges for which there are very few managementoptions in terms of age, gestation, and the potential effects of drug toxicity. case report: here, we report a case of preterm who developed pediculosis capitis in the neonatal intensive care unit following contact with the mother during kangaroo mother care (kmc). she was successfully treated with a combination of topical extra virgin coconut and olive oil. other radical treatments could not be administered due to cultural barriers. conclusion: furthermore, maternal lice were treated with 1 % permethrin, and the kmc re-initiated. for a successful outcome, the education of the mother was equally important. the neonate was found to be free of lice on follow-up. therefore, it is concluded that in neonatal pediculosis, topical oils are safe alternatives where drug toxicity is a constraint.