Birthmark

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Birthmark (disambiguation).
Birthmark
Mongolian spot visible on six-month-old baby
SpecialtyDermatology

A birthmark is a

benign irregularity on the skin which is present at birth or appears shortly after birth—usually in the first month. Birthmarks can occur anywhere on the skin.[1] They are caused by overgrowth of blood vessels, melanocytes, smooth muscle, fat, fibroblasts, or keratinocytes
.

vascular birthmark present by age 1.[2] Several birthmark types are part of the group of skin lesions known as nevi or naevi, which is Latin
for "birthmarks".

Birthmarks occur as a result of a localized imbalance in factors controlling the development and

hereditary.[2][3]

Pigmented types

Mole

Main article: Congenital melanocytic nevus

beauty marks, which most commonly appear on the face, neck or arms
.

Café au lait spot

Main article: Café au lait spot

Café au lait spot

macules may occur anywhere on the body. They are most commonly oval in shape and light brown, or milk coffee, in color. These birthmarks may be present at birth, or appear in early childhood, and do not fade much with age.[4] One or two on an individual is common;[4] however, four or more may be an indicator of neurofibromatosis.[4]
In the event of weight gain, the birthmark can stretch with the skin and become larger.

Mongolian spot

Main article: Mongolian spot

A Mongolian blue spot (dermal melanocytosis) is a

Asia Minor), and named after Mongolians. It is also extremely prevalent among East Africans and Native Americans.[5][6] It normally disappears three to five years after birth and almost always by puberty
. The most common color is blue, although they can be blue-gray, blue-black or even deep brown.

The Mongolian spot is a

epidermis during embryonic development.[6]

Among those who are not aware of the background of the Mongolian spots, it may sometimes be mistaken for a bruise indicative of child abuse.[7]

Vascular types

Stork bite

Main article: Nevus flammeus nuchae
Stork bite

Colloquially called a "

telangiectatic nevus appears as a pink or tanned, flat, irregularly shaped mark on the knee, back of the neck, and/or the forehead, eyelids and, sometimes, the top lip. The skin is not thickened and feels no different from anywhere else on the body; the only difference is in appearance. Nearly half of all babies have such a birthmark.[4]

Strawberry mark

Main article: Hemangioma

An

infancy.[8]

PHACES Syndrome, a rare condition that often involves brain, heart, and arterial abnormalities, is generally accompanied by the presence of large facial hemangiomas. In such cases, what appears to be a small bruise
or birthmark may grow rapidly and take on a puffy appearance in the first days or weeks of life.

Port-wine stain

Main article: Nevus flammeus
Port-wine stain visible on the head of Mikhail Gorbachev, one of the most famous individuals with such a birthmark

Port-wine stains, also known as nevus flammeus and sometimes mistaken for strawberry marks, are present at birth and range from a pale pink in color, to a deep wine-red. Irregular in appearance, they are usually quite large, and caused by a deficiency or absence in the nerve supply to blood vessels. This causes vasodilation, the dilation of blood vessels, causing blood to pool or collect in the affected area.[9] Over time, port-wine stains may become thick or develop small ridges or bumps, and do not fade with age.[2] Such birthmarks may have emotional or social repercussions.[2] Port-wine stains occur in 0.3% of the population, equally among males and females.[2][9] They frequently express unilaterally, i.e., on only one side, not crossing the midline of the body. Often on the face, marks on the upper eyelid or forehead may be indicative of a condition called Sturge–Weber syndrome. Additionally, port-wine stains in these locations may be associated with glaucoma and seizures.[2]

Treatment

Most birthmarks are harmless and do not require treatment. Pigmented marks can resolve on their own over time in some cases. Vascular birthmarks may require reduction or removal for

dermatologic surgery.[10]

Historical explanations

Many explanations were given to explain the origin of birthmarks. Occasionally, it was said that children could be 'marked' or 'imprinted' upon by scares or frights given to the mother during the pregnancy, which draws on the outdated theory of maternal impression:

Children are also said to be marked by some sudden fright or unpleasant experience of the mother, and I have myself seen a pop-eyed, big-mouthed idiot whose condition is ascribed to the fact that his mother stepped on a toad several months before his birth. In another case, a large red mark on a baby's cheek was caused by the mother seeing a man shot down at her side, when the discharge of the gun threw some of the blood and brains into her face.[11]

Other explanations claimed that birthmarks shaped like food were the direct result of the mother's

pregnancy cravings, or the mother touching a certain part of her body during a solar eclipse – her child's birthmark will be in the same location.[12]

References

  1. ^ "birthmark" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Birthmarks". American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  3. ^ "Birthmarks". Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  4. ^ a b c d "Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Birthmarks". Archived from the original on 2008-07-23.
  5. ^ About Mongolian Spot
  6. ^ a b c d Mongolian blue spots Archived 2017-01-19 at the Wayback Machine - Health care guide discussing the Mongolian blue spot.
  7. ^ Mongolian Spot - English information of Mongolian spot, written by Hironao NUMABE, M.D., Tokyo Medical University.
  8. S2CID 31052666
    .
  9. ^ a b "Port Wine Stain Information". Vascular Birthmark Foundation. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  10. ^ "Birthmarks: Diagnosis and treatment".
  11. ISBN 978-1-4733-8824-6
    .
  12. S2CID 198999685
    .

External links
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