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Mongolian spot in a newborn baby – causes and significance

Mongolian spots are a type of birthmark that often appear on newborn babies. They are characterized by large, blue-grey splotches and appear most often on the lower back or buttocks of infants of East Asian, African, and Native American descent. While Mongolian spots are completely harmless, they can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Knowing the causes and significance of this condition can help parents monitor their child's health. The main cause is genetic, and having this birthmark does not indicate any health or emotional issues. However, Mongolian spots may become a cause for concern if they look different than the others or start changing in size or color. Understanding this birthmark and its medical significance can help parents identify potential concerns.

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Unnatural skin color is a sacred pigmentation of gray-blue color. Such an anomaly is inherent in newborn babies of the Mongoloid race. A child is born with a congenital pigmented nevus that disappears in the early years of life. As such, this phenomenon is not required. However, it is necessary to consult a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

What is a Mongolian spot

The anomaly got its name based on the fact that more than 90% of the children of the Mongoloid race are born with this defect. According to studies, Asian peoples are more prone to anomalies. However, there are cases when such a spot was observed in 1% of Europeans. Another deviation occurs in the black race. Mongolian spot is a pathology mainly of residents of Asia.

Statistics show: every 200th representative of the Asian people has a special gene belonging to their universal ancestor, who lived in the 10th century. Scientists call imperfection differently: the spot of Genghis Khan. According to studies, more than 16 million people of the Mongoloid race are descendants of the Great Warrior. In the people, the meaning of a defect is interpreted as a sign from above. Due to localization on the skin near the sacrum, the tailbone, specialists refer to the formation as a “sacred spot”.

The anomaly looks like a site or areas on the skin, the color of which resembles a bruise (hematoma). The skin in the pathogenic zone can be: bluish, black, green, blue. Mongolian spots in newborns are a type of congenital nevus associated with the passage of melanin (skin pigment) in the connective layer of the skin. Localization is always the same. This is the sacrum, hips, rarely – the back.

Mongolian spot in a newborn boy

Causes

Two interconnected layers are in the skin of a person. The deep is called dermis, and the superficial is called the epidermis. It is known that skin pigmentation is carried out from the presence of pigment cells in the epidermis – melanocytes. These cells secrete a pigment responsible for skin color. However, the color of the skin is determined only by the functionality of these cells, and not by their number.

In representatives of European nationalities, melanin is formed due to the influence of ultraviolet rays. In people of other races, pigment is always produced. Skin tone is predetermined. During embryonic formation, the embryo migrates melanocytes to the epidermis from the ectoderm. Doctors believe that the anomaly is caused by the incompleteness of this process of migration of melanocytes, which remain in the dermis. The pigment absorbed by them is likely to lead to the appearance of a defect. The exact causes of the Mongolian spot are unknown..

The manifestation of the Mongolian spot

Pigmentation appears in the early days, disappears on its own. Often a speck remains until 5 years or does not pass at all. Adults do not cause discomfort. The blue spot is an innate imperfection. The hue of the pathology can be gray-blue or completely cyanotic. The clinical manifestation of the Mongolian spot is oval, rounded in shape. Each case is individual. The spot is variable in size, as is the shape. This false bruise can cover the body in areas (buttocks, buttocks, lower back or legs). In dermatology they know: an abnormality does not develop into cancer (oncology).

Newborn baby sleeping

Diagnostics

A newborn with unnatural pigments on the skin should be shown to a dermatologist. The doctor must make a differential diagnosis of the defect. With the help of such a dermatological study, a specialist will distinguish pathology from dangerous diseases, get rid of assumptions about a probable tumor. Differentiation of change from other nevi consists of:

  • dermatoscopy;
  • syakopia;
  • biopsy.

Diagnosis of the Mongolian spot is required! The physician must certainly confirm the alleged diagnosis, because the stain can be melanoma-dangerous, become a problem and even a threat to the baby’s health. Then the child is registered with the oncologist and dermatologist. To be sure of the proposed diagnosis, the doctor (both a pediatrician and a dermatologist) can offer histological examination and siascopy.

Dermatoscopy

Forecast

Dermatologists do not consider this deviation a disease. This skin discoloration does not need prevention and treatment. The specialist in determining the diagnosis will not prescribe therapy, because the education will disappear by itself with time. The prognosis for the Mongolian spot is favorable. Deviation is never reborn again after complete disappearance. A child with such abnormality develops normally.

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Comments: 2
  1. Riley Morgan

    What are the possible causes and significance of a Mongolian spot in a newborn baby? I’m curious to know if it’s a normal occurrence or if it could possibly indicate any underlying health issues?

    Reply
    1. Riley Dawson

      Mongolian spots are blue-grey or bruise-like markings that appear on the skin of newborn babies, particularly those with more melanin in their skin. They are caused by a collection of pigment cells called melanocytes in the deeper layers of the skin. Mongolian spots are completely benign and typically fade away on their own by the age of 4-5 years. They have no medical significance and do not indicate any underlying health issues. It’s important for parents to be aware of this common occurrence to avoid unnecessary concern or worry.

      Reply
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