Skin abnormalities appearing at birth or shortly thereafter can dampen the joy of new parents. Congenital birthmarks are so common that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, one type alone --vascular birthmarks- occurs in more than one-tenth of all babies.
Causes & Types
Scientists are not clear what causes birthmarks, but some types seem to run in families, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information resource established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This is particularly true of pigmented birthmarks, which includes moles, café-au-lait spots and Mongolian spots. These birthmarks result from the overgrowth of melanocytes, the cells that give your skin its normal color. Vascular birthmarks--the other type of birthmarks--appear when blood vessels fail to develop properly. The abnormality might be an overgrowth in size or excessive number of blood vessels.
Vascular Birthmarks
The most common vascular birthmarks are macular stains, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains. You might better recognize macular stains as the faint red marks that sometimes appear on a baby's forehead, eyelids, nose, upper lip or neck. They often disappear by the time a child is 2 years old, according to Kids Health. Hemangiomas might look bright red or bluish, depending on whether they involve blood vessels on the surface of the skin or in deeper layers. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that they quickly grow in size during the first six months of life but usually shrink by the ninth year. Port-wine stains grow with the child and darken with time. Unlike macular stains and hemangiomas, they don't disappear on their own.
Pigmented Birthmarks
The phrase café-au-lait, which means "coffee with milk" in French-, rightly describes the color of these common spots. You may find them anywhere on a child's body. In contrast, Kids Health notes that Mongolian spots are more common on the lower back and buttocks, particularly in darker-skinned children. They are flat, bluish-gray patches, which often disappear as the child approaches school age. Moles can also be present at birth, in which case they are called "congenital nevi" and usually last a lifetime. Moles are often brown, but can also be black or tan.
Treatment
Birthmarks do not always require medical intervention. However, dermatologists, such as University College's Johnny Bourke, associate certain birthmarks with an increased risk of skin cancer. Giant congenital nevi are an example. You should therefore have a doctor monitor skin abnormalities as your child grows. You may also decide to remove certain birthmarks if they become disfiguring or embarrassing. Laser surgery is a treatment of choice for several types of birthmarks. Other options include a special opaque make-up for port-wine stains and steroids for large hemangiomas.
Considerations
Keep in mind that birthmarks do not result from anything one does or fails to do during pregnancy or childbirth. It's equally important for children to learn to accept birthmarks like any other physical attribute, and not make them a source of self-rejection. Also, even though birthmarks vary in size, shape and color, you should remain on guard for drastic changes and such red flags as bleeding, pain, itching, open sores or infection in a birthmark. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you contact a physician if you notice any of the above.
References
- "Mosby's Color Atlas and Text of Dermatology;"Johnny Bourke, M.D. and Robin Graham-Brown; 2007
- Kids Health: Birthmarks
- American Academy of Dermatology: Vascular Birthmarks
- MedlinePlus: BIrthmarks
