Your newborn: Mongolian spots
MONGOLIAN spots are flat grey or dark blue discolourations found on the back and buttocks of children with dark skin. Most of these will fade completely without treatment but some will remain into adulthood.
The Mongolian spot is one of those birthmarks that is completely harmless. This type of birthmark is also common in children of Asian descent. It also appears, less commonly, on the legs or arms. It is also known as a slate grey nevus or dermal melanocytosis.
The causes of Mongolian spots are not known, but parents should know that they are not cancerous and do not appear because of any disease, or anything mom did wrong while pregnant. Sometimes the spots are tiny, but they can also cover large areas of the back.
To identify the Mongolian spot look for:
1. Flat, irregular shape
2. Dark blue or grey colour
3. The spot blends into the skin.
If the birthmark does not have these features, it is not a Mongolian spot.
