A New Beginning

Birthmarks

Birthmarks are areas of discolored skin that are on a baby’s body at birth or that may show up within a few months after birth. Over 80% of babies have some type of birthmark. Some last for life, while others fade away. Birthmarks come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, and they can show up anywhere on the body. Most birthmarks are harmless, and many go away on their own in the first few years of life. It is important to have your baby’s health care provider take a look at all birthmarks. Sometimes medical treatment is necessary. You can always get a second opinion if you want and learn about any other options for treatment.

SLATE GRAY PATCHES

STORK BITES AND ANGEL KISSES

Also called salmon patches, these are blotchy pink or purple flat marks that are formed by dilated capillaries near the surface of the skin. Up to 70% of babies will have one or more of these common birthmarks. The marks may also become more noticeable when your baby cries or the temperature changes. Stork bites (on the back of the neck) may last into adulthood. Angel kisses (on the forehead or eyelids) usually go away by age 2.

These large, flat bluish or grayish areas of extra pigment (previously called Mongolian spots) on the lower back or buttocks are often present at birth but can also appear in the baby’s first weeks of life. This birthmark is most common in dark-skinned babies, including 95%-100% of Asian babies, 90%- 95% of East African babies, 85%-90% of Native American babies, and 50%-70% of Hispanic babies. Slate gray patches usually fade by school age, although some may never disappear.

CAFÉ AU LAIT SPOTS

PORT-WINE STAINS

HEMANGIOMA

This bright red birthmark may appear at birth or in the first few weeks of life. It can be flat or raised, small or large. It is made up of extra blood vessels in the skin. It most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest, or back. About 2%-5% of babies will have this birthmark. It is more common in girls, preemies, and twins. Hemangiomas usually grow for about a year, get no bigger than 2-3 inches, then stop growing, and eventually disappear.

This type of birthmark appears as flat, light brown patches on the skin. Between 20% and 50% of newborns have 1 or 2 of these pigmented birthmarks. They usually fade or get smaller as a child grows, although they may darken with sun exposure. Café au lait spots are normal and generally harmless, although sometimes they can indicate an underlying genetic problem. Talk to your baby’s health care provider if you have concerns.

Port-wine stains (nevus flammeus) are vascular birthmarks that range from pale pink to dark purple. They can appear anywhere on the body but show up most often on the face or head. About 1 in 300 infants is born with a port-wine stain. Light port-wine stains might fade, but most will get bigger as the child grows. Over a lifetime, port-wine stains may thicken, darken, or form cobblestones (small lumps) on the surface of the skin.

72

A New Beginning