Birthmark in a newborn causes. Causes of birthmarks in newborns. It is worth consulting a doctor in cases

When moles appear in newborns, their parents often worry, especially if enlarged birthmarks are located in open areas of the body or form large clusters.

The most common questions asked by pediatricians are:

benign or malignant mole;
will the mole disappear with age;
whether it is possible to get rid of it.

To understand these and other issues, it is necessary to become more familiar with the types of moles.

All information on the site is for informational purposes and is NOT a guide to action!
Give you an ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS only DOCTOR!
We kindly ask you DO NOT self-medicate, but book an appointment with a specialist!
Health to you and your loved ones!

When they appear

All children's moles can be divided into those that appear in the child in the womb (congenital), and those that occur in early childhood.

In infancy

Nevi that appear 1 month after birth are also called congenital.

Moles in newborns can be formed under the influence of the following factors:

genetic predisposition of the baby to nevi. The appearance of birthmarks in infants in the same places as one of the parents is a vivid example of a nevus that is inherited. Some are even proud of this family insignia. Another example of birthmarks due to genetic predisposition are "Mongolian spots";
stressful situations during pregnancy. Some mothers are interested in whether babies have moles after frequent nervous breakdowns during pregnancy. From a medical point of view, pressure drops during childbearing can cause vasoconstriction, and as a result, placental blood exchange disorders. The accumulation of bursting vessels in the future may become a red vascular mole.

Nevi in early childhood

The first birthmarks that occur in early childhood appear under the influence of such causes as:

long . Ultraviolet not only makes existing moles darker, but also contributes to the appearance of new ones;
hormonal changes. Changes in the hormonal background can provoke an increase in the number of nevi at an early age;
heredity. Not always hereditary moles appear in a child in the first days. Often at birth they are so pale that they are not visible, but over time their color becomes more intense.

According to statistics, most often children are born with nevi:

premature;
with fair skin;
female (moles are 5 times more common in girls than in boys).

Photo

What are

All moles can be divided into two types:

pigmented, containing melanin. These moles can be of various sizes and shapes. They can be flat and convex. They have a color from beige and light brown to dark brown and black tones;
vascular, formed by the accumulation of damaged vessels. Red moles can also come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and shades (from lighter salmon tones to burgundy). They are also called hemangiomas.

Among pigmented and vascular birthmarks, two varieties can also be distinguished:

flat moles;
convex nevus.

Red nevi

Hemangiomas are benign skin lesions.

They owe their color to bursting vessels.

Red nevi have a specific life cycle, consisting of the following stages:

development. The period lasts several months and ends at the age of one year;
stabilization. The growth of a mole ends at the age of 5;
involution. The mole becomes smaller, the intensity of its color decreases. The process is very slow.

Hemangiomas can be smooth or rough, large or small. Very often they are hanging, and can grow with age.

Active thrombosis inside these moles leads to a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood, and as a result, a deterioration in its coagulability.

Damage to the red nevus causes severe bleeding.
Moles are of great danger (often damaged by a comb), palms and in other places where they are easy enough to pluck.

You can only remove such moles.

To do this, use a laser or infrared radiation.

hanging

A hanging mole is a formation consisting of epithelial cells.

It looks like a growth of a brownish color or skin color.
These moles often appear in clusters in the armpits and inguinal cavities, on the neck, and genitals.

From a medical point of view, they are threatening to health, and therefore require observation.

The dermatologist should report:

what are the reasons for the appearance of moles;
what is their nature (or benign);
what treatment is needed (possibly removal).

Pigment

These moles can be large and small, with even and uneven outlines, flat and convex.

The melanin cells in infants are shallow in the skin, so a baby's brown mole is usually flat.
With age, it may become more convex, and indicate good quality.
The intensity of the color depends on the amount of pigment.

Small birthmarks are usually not dangerous, but, like any other, require observation.

If the mole is large, then the chances of being reborn into it are higher.

blue flat

A blue nevus is a type of pigmented birthmark. Melanin lies deep in the dermis.

These moles are usually large. They are difficult to reduce, and it is not always safe.

Varieties of blue nevi

Simple:

from light blue to blue - black;
size less than 10 mm in diameter;
the surface is smooth;
occur in the face and upper limbs.

Cellular:

often malignant;
reach 30 mm in diameter;
always bright color;
the surface is knotty;
are located on the buttocks, less often or on the hands.

Mongolian spots

Localized in newborns in the sacrum, buttocks and thighs.

They have up to 90% of babies with Asian roots.

Usually the spots disappear by the child's second birthday, but in rare cases, pale marks remain forever.

These pigment formations do not carry any danger.

Reasons for the appearance

Among the answers to the question “why do moles appear?” There are both scientific versions and unproven ones.

From a medical point of view, the factors that affect the appearance of moles in children are:

ultraviolet radiation. New moles appear with frequent exposure of the child to the sun;
heredity. If one of the parents has a lot of moles on the body, then with a high probability the child will also have a lot of them;
hormonal changes. The appearance of moles is associated with the growth and development of the child;
increased blood pressure in the mother of the child during pregnancy. Violation of placental blood flow provokes the occurrence of hemangiomas in a child in the future.

Versions without documentary evidence include:

infections, viruses and injuries. This version is still in development, and doctors are studying it;
energy emissions in places of formation of moles. This version was used to explain the causes of moles by ancient Chinese scientists.

Video: “Moles in children. Summer, sun, beach.

Do I need to do something if a newborn has a mole

When moles appear in a child, attention should be paid to their configuration and size.

If they are small and non-convex, then there is no reason to worry. 90% of moles are safe.
If the moles grow strongly in size, their number increases rapidly, or they begin to hurt the child, then you should immediately contact a dermatologist.

What is the danger

Most often, convex and hanging moles are considered dangerous.

If such a mole is accidentally damaged or torn off, it may open, which will be difficult to stop.

Another risk factor is the possibility of degeneration of a mole.

To diagnose this process, it is necessary to observe the behavior of the nevus.

You should consult a doctor in the following cases:

spot growth;
color changes;
bleeding;
or itching;
the appearance of a gloss unusual for a mole.

You should pay attention to the appearance of a mole, which is very different in appearance from the nevi already present on the body.

Treatment

If you suspect a malignant nature of the nevus, you should contact a dermatologist or oncologist.

In most cases, they can visually determine if there is a reason to be concerned.
If there is a need for a deeper examination, specialists use a hardware examination of the mole, for example, using a dermatoscope.
It is also used to detect malignant development of a nevus. Suspicious moles must be removed.

A common reason for removal is the unsightliness of the nevus.

Before resorting to getting rid of a mole, specialists examine its boundaries and depth in order to choose the most appropriate method of removal.

If we talk about treatment, then they include the following recipes.

Mix one part of crushed chalk with four parts of hemp oil. Infuse composition for 4 days. Apply to moles a couple of times a day for a month.
Within a month, drop by drop a day, vinegar essence is carefully applied to the mole.
A gruel is prepared from a clove of garlic and a teaspoon of vinegar essence. A patch with a hole for a mole is glued to the skin. The composition is applied to the nevus. The mole is sealed on top with another patch. After a few days, the compress is removed. The method is painful, so it should not be used without consulting a doctor.

Ways to remove a nevus in children

The method of mole removal is chosen by a specialist, taking into account many factors:

the area and depth of the mole;
patient's age;
gender of the patient;
location of the nevus;
the presence of contraindications and others.

The following methods are used to remove moles:

surgical removal;
laser therapy;
infrared radiation;
exposure to radio waves;
delete ;
action .

Prevention of rebirth

In order to prevent the degeneration of nevi into melanomas, moles are removed by rubbing, squeezing and trauma.

Skin care

Intense ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on the skin and moles.

On the packaging of children's sun protection products, you need to pay attention to the SPF and PPD indices.

SPF characterizes the degree of protection against UV rays. For children must be 50 and above.
PPD characterizes the degree of protection of the skin after the end of exposure to sunlight. The maximum value of this index is 42. It corresponds to 24 hours of skin care after sun exposure.

In conclusion, I would like to warn everyone against independent attempts to remove nevi.

This is extremely dangerous and can even lead to death.

If you suspect the malignant nature of the mole, be sure to contact. Only a specialist can determine whether a mole is dangerous to your health.

Video: "Moles and warts on children's skin"

How exactly birthmarks appear in newborns, doctors can only guess. They are not dangerous for the child and in rare cases require correction.

FAQ

Almost every second baby has congenital marks on the skin, most often they appear in girls. Scientists can explain why a birthmark in a baby has a particular color or shape (you can see what it looks like in the photo), but no one knows where it comes from and why it often spontaneously disappears.

If a mark appears on any part of the body - on the pope, arms or legs, it causes nothing but tenderness. It is much worse when a child is born with a bright spot on the head or face - this is considered a defect and causes great concern to parents. The main questions they are concerned about are:

Is it dangerous and what are moles?
why do birthmarks appear?
what to do with such education?

In many cases, doctors take a wait-and-see attitude - often after a few years the formations turn pale and disappear spontaneously, and the decision to remove nevi or hemangiomas cosmetically is made individually.

Types of birthmarks

There is an opinion that the name of birthmarks, brightly colored marks on the skin, received because a person is born with them. This is not true. In fact, the name marks the hereditary mechanism for the transmission of such marks. Often birthmarks of the same shape, in the same place are found in children and parents.

Immediately at birth, the skin of many babies is clean, there are no obvious signs on them that attract attention. This does not mean that moles or birthmarks are absent - they are so faintly colored that they cannot be noticed without close examination.

Clearly visible lesions on the skin at birth occur in one out of 100 babies, as they grow older, the spot begins to darken. After two years, many children begin to develop moles all over their bodies, and by the age of 5, at least 10 marks can be counted on the skin of each child.

Types of birthmarks in newborns are of two types:

brown of various shades - from light coffee color to almost black - they are called moles, or nevi (pigment);
red - from almost imperceptible pink to purple-violet, vascular, they are called angiomas (hemangiomas).

The color of the sign depends on how it is formed. Brown formations, or moles, as they are traditionally called, are determined by brightly colored melanin skin cells (melanocytes), reds of various shades are of vascular origin.

Reasons for the appearance of moles

The exact mechanism of development of moles and birthmarks is unknown, but observations made it possible to determine in which cases pigmented areas on the skin most often appear. This:

heredity - it is noticed that the tendency to birthmarks is transmitted from parents to children;
hormonal disruptions during the formation of the fetus and the subsequent maturation of the child, which, in particular, explains the appearance or disappearance of birthmarks in adolescence and during pregnancy in women;
infection of the mother's body with a viral infection of the urinary tract;
the impact on a pregnant woman of external factors - poisons, radiation;
trauma - if a skin area with a hidden mole is damaged, it begins to appear and darken (even an insect bite can act as a catalyst);
the action of ultraviolet radiation, which triggers not only the “manifestation”, but also the rebirth of moles;
the degree of pigmentation of the baby's skin - fair-haired babies are more prone to the formation of moles;
gender - in girls, birthmarks occur several times more often than in boys;
fetal maturity - premature babies are more likely to be born with marks on the skin.

It is impossible not to recall the popular beliefs that strictly forbade frightening pregnant women (it was believed that this caused marks on the skin).

The meaning of moles was interpreted in every possible way, for men and women there were separate signs.

Types of nevi

Pigmented spots on the skin, or nevi, acquire their color under the action of melanin - the more it is, the darker the color. Sometimes there are formations that are whiter than the natural skin tone - in this case, there is less melanin than necessary.

There are several types of pigmented formations that are most common in infants (they are found in 13% of children, the cause is believed to be melanin fluctuations in the skin).

Asian spot (Mongolian)

It has a dark gray or bluish color, is found on the back in the coccyx or sacrum in all children with Mongoloid genes (these include Yakuts and Tuvans). A person unfamiliar with this feature of Asian babies resembles a bruise. This is a genetic feature, does not affect the condition of the baby and disappears on its own when the child reaches the age of five. The reasons for the appearance of the mark in this particular race is unknown.

Dysplastic nevi

Formations of irregular shape and different color intensity, having a brown surface, can vary in size, sometimes a spot can form from several separate point formations.

Small moles

Small spots, which can be of various colors, up to black, can appear anywhere - on the leg, on the face.

Congenital pigment nevus

Consists of particularly large pigment cells. The color of the formation ranges from light coffee to almost black, the size and shape are individual for each newborn. A characteristic feature is hair growing on a mole. It can be found on any part of the body, often on the face.

With too many small dysplastic nevi appearing, the parents of the baby need to control the number and size of these “coffee spots”.

The size of the nevi and their control

To be able to observe the growths of nevi, there is a scale for classifying their sizes:

formations from 5 mm to 70 are considered quite safe and are not recommended for removal if they do not spoil the appearance;
birthmarks larger than 70 mm on the back, leg (large) and exceeding 120 mm on the face, on the forehead require special attention and control over changes in appearance and diameter.
Giant are considered to be formations having more than 140 mm in diameter.

Birthmarks in newborns are not dangerous to their health, but they should be monitored. Some pediatricians recommend redrawing the skin formation by attaching parchment paper to it and periodically monitoring its size.

Another sign of a good quality spot is its color - it can be of any color, but it should be uniform, and the surface should be velvety to the touch. The appearance of areas of a different color or altered areas on a birthmark or mole is a reason for immediate medical attention.

Birthmarks in babies require special attention in the following cases:

the baby has a large number of new spots or their sizes increase;
the mole is located in a place that is easily injured - inguinal fold, palm, neck, feet;
education on the skin interferes with the functioning of the body;
existing formations change color (lighten and darken), acquire a new shape;
swelling or pain appears at the site of the nevus, it begins to itch.

Modern medicine knows how to deal well with neoplasms on the skin, with the obligatory observance of one single condition - the patient must consult a doctor in time.

Causes of hemangiomas

Red birthmarks are most often congenital, and are noticeable already in the first weeks of life. They are formed by a large number of tiny vessels and their color ranges from pale pink to purple-red.

Hemangiomas tend to grow until the child reaches 12-18 months, then gradually brighten and, by the hormonal changes in the body, completely merges with the general skin tone. One of the signs that the red spot is starting to disappear will be the appearance of a less colored area in the center of the formation.

Why such a birthmark appears in a newborn, the reasons for its occurrence are unknown - it is generally believed that this is a congenital defect in the development of blood vessels that feed the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This can manifest itself in a violation of the properties of collagen fibers, which are responsible for the strength of the walls of blood vessels, in a change in the properties of the cells that form the interior of the walls of the capillaries.

The theory is supported by statistics - such congenital features are determined in 15% of prematurely born children and children with critically low weight.

They can form under the skin, or rise above it, and often have a repulsive appearance. Hemangiomas rarely develop into neoplasms, but in most cases the child's parents insist on removing the child's formation.

Types of hemangiomas

Red birthmarks are of several types:

scarlet mole or Campbell Morgan spots;
flaming nevus, or wine stains;
blue-purple formations of a venous nature;
spider nevus;
cavernous (cavity) hemangiomas.

The most common are the following red birthmarks in newborns.

stork trail

Has an intense pink color, is placed on the back of the head or the top of the head, capturing the bridge of the nose and forehead. It has a fairly large size, sometimes it may consist of a scattering of small red spots. They tend to disappear without outside intervention after the children reach the age of five.

Kiss of an angel

A spot of pink-yellowish color, captivating the face of a child. When crying, it becomes more intensely colored. Disappears in the same way as the previous one.

"Port wine stain" or flaming nevus

It is formed by altered dilated vessels of the skin. The stain has an unpleasant feature not to brighten over the years, but to become even more saturated in color. It is localized most often on the face or head, after removal it tends to reappear.

strawberry stain

It consists of formations rising above the skin, outwardly similar to large strawberries. Most often localized on the head under the hair or face of the child. It tends to actively grow the first years of a baby's life. The process of reduction and gradual disappearance begins after the age of three, by the time of hormonal maturation, children completely get rid of this spot.

In some cases, a white scar is formed at the site of such a mole. If the growth is large, it can lead to too many platelets in the blood and the development of heart problems.

Cavernous spot

It has vague borders and rapidly increases in size. It is a collection of seals in the skin. When probing, a person pays attention to the too high temperature of this area and possible soreness. It tends to disappear without treatment during the first years of life.

Spider or stellate nevus

It disappears on its own until the moment of hormonal maturation.

Parents of babies with a nevus should carefully monitor the condition of the spots on the child's skin. If the stain bothers the child (located in a dangerous place) or does not show signs of disappearance, treatment measures should be taken before the age of two years.

The birth of a long-awaited baby is a joyful event for every family. But often even the first glance at their child causes anxiety in parents. The reason for this can be a variety of birthmarks and formations that appear on the skin of crumbs.

What's this?

It is worth saying that doctors call birthmarks in newborns in different ways, but most often hemangiomas. These are certain spots on the skin of the child. However, children are born with them very rarely. Most often they occur during the first weeks of a baby's life. The sizes of formations can also differ. They range from very tiny dots to quite extensive skin lesions.

At-risk groups

Doctors have identified three main categories of children who are more prone to hemangiomas than others.

Girls. It has been statistically proven that girls are 4 times more likely to be born with similar phenomena.
Light-skinned children.
Premature babies.

Causes

Why can a birthmark appear in a newborn? The reasons are in the defeat of the arteries, veins and capillaries of the baby. Unfortunately, this mechanism has not yet been reliably and fully studied by specialists. However, doctors today identify two main reasons for the occurrence:

Genetic embryonic failure. When there was a violation in the work of some capillaries, veins, arteries that feed the placenta.
Another cause of birthmarks in newborns is excessive production of vascular endothelial growth factor. In this case, a layer of cells forms around the blood vessels - an outgrowth.

Also, experts say that birthmarks can form due to the following phenomena:

Fluctuations in the level of certain hormones of the mother during the bearing of crumbs.
They occur as a result of infections of the genitourinary system.
They can occur as a result of exposure to a woman's body of harmful factors: radiation, toxic substances, etc.

However, all reasons are more assumptions than statements. It is also worth mentioning that in the first 3-6 months, birthmarks can develop, grow, change color. However, after this time, they most often begin to disappear. If this does not happen, do not despair. Hemangiomas can disappear from the body of the crumbs in a few years. In some cases, they must be disposed of (if the stain interferes with the organs of vision or breathing of the crumbs). In addition, it is important for parents to know that such spots do not harm the baby at all. They do not hurt, do not itch, do not interfere with the growth and development of the crumbs. Their only drawback is that they do not look very aesthetically pleasing.

"People's" reasons

Some women believe that birthmarks in newborns may be the result of certain actions or actions of the mother. So, people say that if a woman is afraid of something, a mark will remain on the body of the child. Grandmothers also say that while carrying a baby, mom can’t darn anything, otherwise the baby will be born “with a patch”. Prophets do not recommend that a woman touch black animals with her hands during pregnancy - dogs, cats, chickens. It is believed that all this can lead to the fact that a newborn baby will have a mark on the body - a birthmark. Believe it or not - everyone's business. In any case, this is only conjecture and conjecture of people.

Types

According to scientists, birthmarks in newborns can be of two main types:

Nevi, or age spots. In everyday life, they are simply called moles.
Angiomas, i.e., vascular spots.

Since the first type of birthmarks almost never causes concern to parents, I would like to pay more attention to angiomas. They, in turn, are also divided into two subspecies:

Hemangiomas. They develop from blood vessels that are located in the dermis - the outer layer of the skin. It is hemangiomas that are mostly congenital, and they are usually called "birthmarks".
Lymphangiomas. These same spots are formed from the cells of the lymphatic vessels. Most often formed during the period of intrauterine development of the fetus. They usually appear in the third year of a baby's life.

View 1. Strawberry hemangioma

Birthmarks in newborns are divided into several main types. At the very beginning, I want to talk about strawberry hemangioma. It is a reddish convex formation. It occurs in no more than 6% of newborn babies, manifests itself soon after the birth of the crumbs (3-4 weeks). It can be placed almost anywhere on the body.

View 2. Cavernous hemangioma

Doctors also call it cavernous. This is a loose formation that has a reddish or bluish tint. It occurs according to the principle of strawberry hemangioma - in the first 18 weeks of a baby's life. After that, the process goes into decline, the speck dries out and disappears.

View 3. Wine stains

In medicine, this is called capillary angiodysplasia. This is the so-called wine, or red, birthmark. The newborn will not have any bulges on the body, it is somewhat similar to just reddening of the skin. May be dark red or purple. With age, such spots can increase in size, change shape and color. Most often formed on the face or head.

These are the most common types of birthmarks in newborns. However, there are still a huge number of them. Especially given all the subspecies of nevi and lymphangiomas.

Severe cases

Unfortunately, in 2% of cases, newborns have hemangiomatosis. This is a disease when the baby's body is covered with many birthmarks. In addition, they can also be on the internal organs, significantly complicating the baby's blood flow. Such spots can greatly interfere with the life of the crumbs, growing and forming tumors. However, hemangiomatosis is not a sentence. If observed and treated by a good experienced doctor, the child will be all right, the problem can be dealt with. In this case, the baby may need studies such as biopsy, tomography and ultrasound.

About the dangers

How dangerous are birthmarks in newborns? Their significance for the life of the crumbs is small. So, they most often do not bring any inconvenience to the baby. Their advantage is that they do not have any manifestations - itching, pain. Their only downside is their appearance. However, it should be said that all types of hemangiomas (with the exception of port-wine stains) completely disappear from the child's body by about 10 years. Otherwise, they can be easily removed using modern techniques. But still there is one "but". Once in 700 thousand cases, such a benign formation can develop into a malignant one. This is especially true of nevi, which can transform into melanomas. But it is possible to get rid of them in the early stages. Therefore, parents should strictly monitor all the formations on the baby's body, turning to the doctor in case of the slightest suspicion.

Getting rid of the problem

A birthmark in a newborn in some cases can interfere with the normal existence of the crumbs. Therefore, the doctor may recommend removing the hemangioma. The same can be done if the stain is ugly and negatively affects the appearance of the child. What can the doctor recommend in this case:

Surgical intervention.
Getting rid of the problem with cold (cryotherapy, cryodestruction, freezing).
Getting rid of the problem with the help of high temperature (electrocoagulation).
Hormone therapy.
laser therapy.

However, it should be said that not every birthmark in a newborn can be removed, even if you want to. And any of the above procedures has its indications and contraindications. Therefore, only a doctor can give an appointment for their use.

What should parents do if they find birthmarks in newborns? Their meaning does not need to be sought in the action of higher or otherworldly forces. And it is best to treat such a phenomenon as calmly as possible, but at the same time seriously. What can you recommend to parents whose children have special marks?

When the spot has just appeared, it is best to redraw it through tracing paper. So it will be easier to observe it - how it changes shape.
You also need to watch for color changes.
Birthmarks should not be allowed to be irradiated with ultraviolet light. So they can develop into malignant tumors.
If the birthmark is convex, care must be taken to ensure that it does not give in too much to friction on clothing. It is necessary to carefully monitor the integrity of its surface.

Protected from many of humanity thanks to mother's milk, but still there is a possibility of neoplasms appearing on the body in the form of birthmarks. Some of them are safe, while others are harmful to the body. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the specifics of their existence.

Kinds

Birthmarks may appear at birth or may be acquired throughout life. In medicine, there is a term for pigmentation -. To date, several types of such spots are known.

"Strawberry" hemangioma can be observed very often in the form of an oval, reminiscent of ripe strawberries in color. As a rule, such a neoplasm does not need treatment. It may disappear after about seven or eight years and never appear again.

Did you know? Rational nutrition of the mother, feeding the baby with breast milk cannot protect against neoplasms and skin defects.

Did you know? Previously, people believed that birthmarks occur only in extraordinary, talented people who will be protected by God all their lives.

Reason for the appearance

Birthmarks in newborns have different causes of appearance:

a consequence of a change in the hormonal balance of a woman during;
the influence of various negative factors on the body of a pregnant woman (radiation exposure, chemical poisoning, climate change);
infectious diseases of the bladder;
receiving a large dose of ultraviolet radiation;
heredity.

Important! There is no guarantee that careful attitude to one's health will protect her from the appearance of spots in a newborn. The cause of the neoplasm may be a factor that has not yet been studied by doctors.

Is it possible to delete

Removal of birthmarks in babies is possible only when they are life-threatening.

After consultation with a dermatologist or oncologist, you may be offered to carry out the procedure using various methods: laser, cryotherapy, surgery, or drug-injection exposure.

The doctor must proceed from a specific diagnosis and select the most optimal option for removing pigmentation. Such precautions and safety measures are taken because babies can get complications after surgery.

Important! Pay particular attention to wine-like pigmentation on the face. The child must be taken to an ophthalmologist and the pressure of the inner surface of the eyes be measured, as it can deviate from the norm and lead to glaucoma, which, in turn, can impair the baby's vision.

When to be afraid

Danger can carry large birthmarks, neoplasms that are constantly injured. Pay attention to degenerate neoplasms that change color, shape, “texture”, size, cause pain, bleeding.

It is forbidden to remove neoplasms yourself, as this will only harm the child.

As we have seen, you should not panic when you find a fragmentary skin color with unusual colors. It is worth going to a dermatologist or oncologist to plan your next steps. In connection with the indication for the removal of the neoplasm, the patient will be offered several methods by which you will be able to save the child from skin problems.

Such marks have always attracted attention and raised many questions. But if in previous centuries society was more worried about what birthmarks mean in a child, today the question has come to the fore, why they appear and whether birthmarks in newborns are dangerous.

Let's say right away that there are a huge number of different types, which are simply impossible to describe. Therefore, today we will talk in general terms about what colors they are, what they mean in terms of health, and what parents should know if birthmarks appear or increase in children.

What birthmarks look like in newborns: types

There are many different classifications and types, but by the nature of their occurrence, all of them can be divided into two large groups: those formed from blood vessels (hemangiomas) and consisting of melanocyte pigment cells (pigment spots and moles). Consequently, the former have a characteristic reddish color of different shades (pink, brown, burgundy, bright red), and the latter are brown (from the lightest to the darkest tones). Both those and other formations (some of their types) sometimes acquire a bluish tint.

As for the size, birthmarks can sometimes reach 20 cm in diameter (such formations require mandatory medical examination and observation). But more often, nevertheless, they are small - from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter.

In medical terminology, such formations are called nevi. They can appear literally on any part of the body: on the arm, on the back, on the stomach, on the pope, on the ankle and even in the mouth! However, the most common birthmark in a newborn can be observed on the head: on the back of the head (popularly, such a nevus is called a “stork bite”), on the face (on the cheek, near the nose).

In appearance and shape, birthmarks are also very diverse: with clear and blurry outlines, regular and asymmetric shapes, and sometimes completely bizarre (triangle, six-pointed star and other shapes).

The structure of the nevi also differs: some of them are flat and smooth, homogeneous; others are convex, loose, bumpy, rough.

As you can see, it is very difficult to accurately determine the type of birthmark without consulting a specialist. Namely, the treatment tactics largely depend on its type. Therefore, any spot on the skin of a child should be shown at least to a pediatrician, or better, immediately to a dermatologist.

Age spots in newborns

Such nevi consist of melanocytes - cells that give our skin a light or dark shade. Their main function is to protect the body from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and therefore the more intense this exposure, the more melanocytes are produced by the body (hence the appearance of sunburn).

The saturation of the color of the pigment spot depends on the number of melanocytes: with their excess, a dark spot is formed, with a deficiency, it is lighter than the rest of the skin.

Most often in newborns there are such age spots:

Mongolian spot - so named because almost all children of the Mongoloid race are born with it. A characteristic difference is the color (bluish-greenish or grayish tint, which makes it look like a bruise) and location (almost always appears on the sacrum or coccyx, less often on the side of the thigh, buttocks, shoulders). The Mongolian spot does not require absolutely no treatment, because on average by 1.5-2 years (or already at school age) it disappears on its own.
Coffee stains - the name speaks for itself: they look like spilled coffee with milk of various concentrations. Usually coffee stains are small in diameter, sometimes there are several of them, located on any part of the body and do not pose any danger. The risks increase when such nevi are numerous or large in diameter.
Moles and freckles are small brown or red spots that form due to the accumulation of melanocytes. Usually there are no moles in newborns - they appear after a year or two or more, and this process continues until the end of life. Some moles may even grow hair - this is not dangerous. But freckles can be present at birth, more often red-haired green-eyed babies have them. Such nevi rarely cause unrest and problems.

Hemangiomas in newborns

They owe their red (and its shades) color to the blood vessels that make up the “body” of such formations. Depending on how many vessels are involved in this process and how deep they are in the skin, the hemangioma can be pale or brightly saturated, convex or flat. But the degree of risk is determined more by its type and location than by size and color. The occurrence of such nevi in potentially traumatic places can be a reason for their early removal in order to avoid provoking other health problems for the baby.

Like pigment formations, vascular ones also have a different trend in their development: some of them actively grow and increase in the first years of a child's life, gradually turning pale and decreasing in the future; others remain for life and can increase significantly in size and saturate in color.

The most common are such hemangiomas in newborns:

Strawberry (strawberry) - got its name due to its similarity with summer berries in color and shape. Such formations appear in the first days after birth, most often on the face (on the cheek, on the eyelids, forehead, under the hair on the head), have a bright crimson color and a convex surface. They can range from millimeters to large berries and almost always continue to grow over a period of time. Then the strawberry hemangioma stops in development and begins to die off, which is accompanied by its gradual blanching, flattening and reduction. As a rule, they disappear on their own (by 10 years of a child's life or earlier).
Cavernous - differs in less clear boundaries and more active development than strawberry. But the cavernous hemangioma disappears faster: actively increasing in the first six months, it slows down its growth in the next six months, and then its involution (that is, a decrease) begins altogether. Cavernous hemangioma is a loose structure formation (sometimes rough) of large vascular elements, it is distinguished by a red-blue color and deep “ingrowth” into the skin. When pressed, it can hurt, pulsate, and feel warmer to the touch than the surrounding tissues.
"Port wine stain" (fiery or flaming nevus) - red spots with a pink or purple (and sometimes cherry, burgundy) tint, consisting of dilated blood vessels. In appearance, they resemble a trace of spilled wine. A fiery nevus does not go away with time, remaining for life and continuing to grow if not removed. Therefore, it often requires treatment at an early age.
Stellate angioma is a formation in the form of a star, which has a central "point", from which the "rays" of vessels diverge to the sides. Most often located on the face or neck and disappears spontaneously in the first years of the baby's life.
"Stork bites" (or simple nevi) are perhaps the most harmless of all. They have a reddish-orange color, which becomes brighter over time - and the spot almost completely disappears (usually by the age of two), but with stress (for example, strong crying) it can reappear. A simple nevus can be located on the face (around the nose and mouth, on the eyelids and eyebrows), but its “favorite” place is the back of the head. The "stork's mark" looks like a trace from a bird's beak, which is why it got its popular name. If such a nevus is located on the forehead, then the people call it the "kiss of an angel." Such hemangiomas may turn red or pale, depending on whether the baby is relaxed (for example, sleeping) or tense (for example, screaming).

Why birthmarks appear in newborns: causes

Despite their name, birthmarks are not necessarily present on the skin of the baby immediately at birth, although there are also a lot of such cases. Often they occur in the first days, weeks or months of life, and in some people even in adulthood. The number of nevi tends to increase over time, their size - to increase, and the shape - to change. Therefore, such formations must be monitored without fail.

They have long tried to explain the reasons for the appearance of such marks, giving them more and more mystical meaning: some peoples considered such children to be God's chosen ones, others - messengers of dark forces. In any case, it was believed that they were somehow special and had some kind of superpowers, or they had a fateful destiny in this world.

The Slavs less pathetically explained the reasons for the appearance of nevi. It was assumed that this was the result of a strong fright of a woman carrying a child: the type, shape and location of the birthmark depended on what exactly frightened the expectant mother. For this reason, pregnant women were forbidden to grab the body at the moment of fright (for example, many women reflexively throw their arms over their chest or grab their heads at such moments), so that marks would not form in these areas later on the child. Another popular sign: if a pregnant woman witnesses a fire, then her child will have a fiery spot on her skin.

Modern physicians find only one probable relationship between the events described - spasm of blood vessels. In moments of fright or severe stress, as a result of such a spasm, blood circulation in the vessels, including the uteroplacental ones, deteriorates significantly, which theoretically can lead to the appearance of a hemangioma in the fetus if the pregnant woman experiences severe stress on the days when intrauterine skin formation occurs in the child .

In general, doctors do not believe in folk omens, but they cannot name the exact reasons for the formation of age spots in newborns either. The hereditary factor is of great importance here. It was also noticed that light-skinned and premature babies, as well as girls (if we talk about gender characteristics), are more susceptible to the formation of nevi. If we talk about the mechanism of occurrence, then hemangiomas are formed due to the pathological development of blood vessels, and a failure in this process occurs even in the prenatal period. There is also an opinion that vascular nevi develop under the influence of the mother's sex hormones, which are also transmitted to the newborn: as their number in the body of the baby decreases, the hemangioma will also decrease.

Birthmarks in newborns: treatment

Most nevi do not cause any pain and other physical discomfort to their carriers, and also do not pose a health hazard. Moreover, many of them tend to self-regress and disappear. It is for this reason that most often doctors take a wait-and-see attitude, simply observing the spot: does it grow, does it change its shape and structure, does it become inflamed. All this time, intense exposure to sunlight on this area of the skin, its injury should be avoided. If the integrity of the skin is damaged, disinfect in a timely manner, and if you suspect the onset of an inflammatory process in the tissues, immediately consult a doctor.

However, sometimes you have to resort to the removal of birthmarks already at an early age. Most often, hemangiomas are removed.

Removal of birthmarks in newborns

A baby with a “mark” must certainly be shown to a specialist so that he can establish the type of education and make a forecast for the future. Most likely, the doctor will advise you to simply observe the spot (many parents for this, in addition to measuring education, take photographs or prints of the nevus at certain intervals).

But some birthmarks, if they pose a potential danger to the health of the baby, experts prefer to remove at an early age. In particular, radical therapy may be needed in the following cases:

giant birthmark (more than 20 cm in diameter);
the presence of 5 or more nevi in a child;
a birthmark in a child after the age of 6 months increases, grows;
the formation is located in a traumatic place (in skin folds, in places of strong friction with clothes, on the palm or foot, on the anus);
the location of the nevus can disrupt the functions of the organs (in the nose, before the eyes, etc.).

The child must be shown to a specialist if you notice any changes with the spot: it has darkened, changed shape or structure, hair loss from the mole has begun, the nevus has been damaged, has begun to bleed or hurt / itch, etc. Large spots require close attention - over 7 cm (on the body) or 12 cm (on the head) in diameter.

Today, there are a variety of ways to remove birthmarks in newborns, but the most commonly used are:

drug therapy - is carried out by introducing drugs into the formation cavity that provoke the death of modified tissues (death of blood vessels);
cryotherapy - the impact on the stain of substances of very low temperatures, which leads to the death of cells; used to remove small formations;
laser removal - excision of pathological vessels with a laser beam; fast, painless and effective procedure,
surgical removal is a traditional surgical method, but recently it has been resorted to less and less.

If the doctor insists on removing a birthmark from a newborn, then you should not worry at all, because modern methods are very safe, operations are performed quickly and painlessly, without complications. After removal of nevi, traces almost always remain in their place (scars and scars), but they can be removed with the help of plastic surgery.

However, in cases where the doctor decides that the stain needs to be removed, always consult with several other specialists (dermatologist, surgeon, oncologist), because doctors can also make mistakes ... Also, keep in mind that such an operation requires the use of anesthesia , and therefore try to postpone it as much as possible until a later period, when the child grows up a little (of course, if the situation tolerates).

Especially for - Larisa Nezabudkina