Some argue, however, that on microscopic inspection, all babies are born with some kind of birth mark due to pigmentation. The American Academy of Dermatology note that the spots are most common in babies of Asian ancestry.
Do all babies have Mongolian spots?
Mongolian spot is the most frequently seen pigmented skin lesion in newborns. They can be present at birth or develop within the first few weeks of life. These ‘birth marks’ can appear in all racial groups, but as the name Mongolian implies, they are most common in Asian and Native American infants.
Can white babies have Mongolian spots?
Although named after a country in Asia, Mongolian spots can be found in any baby with relatively dark skin, including the majority of babies of Native American, Asian, Hispanic or African-American descent. In contrast, fewer than 10% of Caucasian infants have Mongolian spots.
Do black babies have Mongolian spots?
SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc. Congenital melanocytosis, previously known as Mongolian spots, is a very common condition in any part of the body of dark-skinned babies. The spots are flat, gray-blue in color (almost looking like a bruise), and can be small or large.
Which baby has Mongolian spots?
Mongolian spots (MS) are congenital birthmarks seen most commonly over the lumbosacral area. They are bluish-green to black in color and oval to irregular in shape. They are most commonly found in individuals of African or Asian ethnic background.
Are Mongolian spots genetic?
Mongolian spot is a hereditary developmental condition caused by entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest into the epidermis.
Are Mongolian spots bad?
Mongolian spots do not require any special treatment. They do not cause pain and are not problematic other than in appearance. Since they almost always appear on the back and buttocks, they do not cause a cosmetic issue either.
What race has Mongolian spots?
Mongolian blue spots are common among people who are of Asian, Native American, Hispanic, East Indian, and African descent. The color of the spots are from a collection of melanocytes in the deeper layers of the skin. Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment (color) in the skin.
How do babies get Mongolian spots?
Mongolian blue spots appear on the skin at or shortly after birth. The spots appear when melanocytes (cells that produce pigment, or melanin) remain in the deeper skin layer during embryonic development. What causes this to happen isn’t known. Mongolian blue spots aren’t related to an underlying health condition.
Do Caucasians get Mongolian spots?
Mongolian spots are gray-blue to brown macules or patches located in the lumbosacral/gluteal region. They affect a majority of Asians, African Americans, and American Indians but are rare in Caucasians. The lesions are present at birth but often spontaneously regress within a few years.
Can a Mongolian spot be removed?
If the spots persist as a aesthetic concern in adulthood, there are many removal or lightening procedures to consider. If Mongolian spots persist in adulthood or if they are present in uncommon areas, laser removal is among the most effective treatment options you can consider.
How do you tell the difference between a Mongolian spot and a bruise?
They’re sometimes mistaken for bruises thanks to their blue-gray color, round and irregular shape, and flat texture. But unlike a bruise, they don’t hurt at all and don’t change color or shape quickly the way bruises often do. Some of these blue spots are pinhead tiny, while others can be three inches or more.