Birthmarks can appear almost anywhere on a child’s body and may be present at birth or develop several weeks later. Most birthmarks are harmless, though some require treatment if they are the symptom of an underlying condition. Talk with your child’s pediatrician if he develops a birthmark so that the doctor can assess the mark and take appropriate action when necessary.
Types
Birthmarks fall into two basic categories--vascular and pigmented. Vascular birthmarks are usually red or pink and usually appear on the face, head or neck. Pigmented birthmarks typically manifest as tan, brown or grayish marks and can appear anywhere on the body.
Identification
Macular stains are the most common form of vascular birthmarks. Pink or red patches that appear on your baby’s forehead, eyelids, neck, nose or lip are usually macular stains, also called salmon patches, angel kisses or stork bites. These birthmarks usually fade when by the time your baby is 1 or 2 years old, according to KidsHealth from Nemours.
Port-wine stains are usually deep red and can grow in size as your child grows. The skin often thickens with age and may develop a raised texture, similar to pebbles. These birthmarks do not fade over time. Port-wine stains are less common, occurring in about three out of 1,000 infants, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Hemangiomas are bright red marks that can be smooth or slightly raised. These birthmarks usually expand during the first six months of life, but they generally fade and often disappear completely between ages 5 and 9, explains KidsHealth.
Pigmented birthmarks that are light tan in color are called café-au-lait spots and can increase in number as your child ages. These marks are a very common pigmented birthmark.
Mongolian spots are bluish-gray patches of skin that usually appear on the lower back or buttocks. Children of Asian, African, Hispanic, American Indian and Southern European descent are more likely to develop these pigmented marks, though they usually fade with age.
Moles are tan or brown spots that can form anywhere on the body. They may be thick and raised and some have strands of hair that sprout from them.
Causes
Vascular birthmarks occur when blood vessels in certain areas of the body do not form correctly while a baby develops in the womb. Blood vessels that are numerous and clustered together are often responsible for birthmarks with red or pink hues. Vessels that are wider than normal may also cause these birthmarks, according to KidsHealth.
Pigmented birthmarks form from an overgrowth of pigment-producing cells. If your baby has too much or too little pigment in a certain area, that area may appear darker or lighter than surrounding skin.
Misconceptions
While doctors do not know the exact reasons why some children get birthmarks and others do not, there is no scientific evidence to support the suggestion that you can prevent them during your pregnancy. Myths that port-wine stains and other red birthmarks are caused by eating certain foods during pregnancy are untrue. Additionally, there is no evidence that birthmarks are inherited, explains the American Academy of Dermatology.
Considerations
Most birthmarks require no treatment, but hemangiomas and other birthmarks that obstruct your baby’s vision or interfere with feeding due to inconvenient location in the mouth or on the lips may require plastic surgery to correct these problems. Many large birthmarks can be lightened with laser therapy when your child gets older if they cause severe cosmetic problems.
Babies born with moles, particularly large ones, have an increased risk of developing skin cancer later in life. A doctor can monitor your baby if he has a large mole to check for skin changes. Have your baby evaluated if he has several café-au-lait spots, especially if they are larger than a quarter, cautions KidsHealth. While these marks are not generally cause for concern, they can be a sign of a genetic disorder that causes abnormal growth of nerve tissues called neurofibromatosis.
