Discoloration of a newborn's skin can cause some concern for new parents. After waiting nine months, you finally get to meet your baby, but he has a different color to him than you expected or there is a discolored patch somewhere on his body. Lucky for parents, discoloration is rarely serious and often disappear on its own.
Identification
Jaundice occurs when the skin appears yellow on a newborn. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the yellow begins at the face and moves downward to the legs as bilirubin levels increase. The whites of the eyes may also have a yellow tint.
Birthmarks cause some discoloration on newborn's skin, but are usually isolated to one area of the body. Strawberry hemangiomas are raised red spots. Mongolian spots are commonly found on blacks, Asians and Native Americans, and resemble ink spots. Stork bites, also known as salmon patches, are most often found on the back of the neck and appear as red or pink patches. A port-wine stain is flat and usually red, but can also be pink or purple.
Causes
The discoloration on newborns includes several causes. For jaundice, the yellowing of the skin is caused by the newborn's liver being unable to breakdown excess bilirubin, which is a byproduct of the red blood cells that has a yellow pigment. It's a common myth that birthmarks are inherited, but the actual cause of why a person gets a birthmark is unknown. Widened blood vessels cause strawberry hemangiomas. According to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, a concentration of immature blood vessels cause stork bites and a concentration of dilated capillaries cause port-wine stain birthmarks.
Time Frames
The yellowing from jaundice typically occurs on the second or third day after being born and is considered more severe if the yellowing occurs sooner. Jaundice usually disappears within two weeks, but can last three weeks. Contact your doctor if jaundice lasts longer than three weeks.
It's not uncommon for newborns to have light-colored birthmarks that permanently remain on their skin throughout adulthood; however, many marks are temporary. Mongolian spots are temporary, as well as stork bites and strawberry hemangiomas. According to KidsHealth website, strawberry hemangiomas usually disappear by the time your child is 6 years old. Port-wine stains are permanent and according to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, they may become darker and bleed on older children and adults.
Treatment
If jaundice requires treatment, a doctor will use a specialized light to help breakdown bilirubin. Bilirubin in high levels can lead to brain damage; however, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most jaundice is treated far before bilirubin gets to brain damage levels.
Birthmarks generally require no treatment other than removal for cosmetic reasons. According to Cosmetic Surgery, a birthmark can be removed surgically or by laser light treatment.
Other Discolorations
The first few minutes following your newborns birth, he will appear to be a dark purple color. As your newborn begins breathing outside the womb, the skin color will gradually take on a normal shade.
During the first few months, according to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, your newborns hands and feet may get purplish undertones, especially when your baby is cold. The blood circulation system has not fully developed, which is the reason for the purplish coloring. However, if your baby is blue elsewhere, seek emergency care immediately.
