Peds

Mongolian Spot

search

Mongolian Spot, Dermal Melanosis, Dermal Melanocytosis

  • See Also
  1. Newborn Skin Exam
  • Definitions
  1. Mongolian Spot (Dermal Melanosis, Dermal Melanocytosis)
    1. Benign pigmented Birthmarks typically in black, native american, asian and hispanic children
  • Epidemiology
  • Ethnic breakdown
  1. Black infants: 96%
  2. Native americans infants: 90%
  3. Asian infants: 81-90%
  4. Hispanic infants: 46-70%
  5. White infants: 10%
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Melanocytes that are trapped deep with the skin
  • Signs
  1. Bluish-gray, bluish-black or brown Macules or patches
  2. Distribution
    1. Lumbosacral and buttock regions
  • Course
  1. Most lesions fade by age 2 years
    1. Often disappear completely between age 7 to 13 years
  2. Some areas may persist
  • Management
  1. No interventions needed
  2. Document presence of Mongolian Spots to avoid misdiagnosis of Bruising from Nonaccidental Trauma
  • References
  1. Snyder (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(3): 212-6 [PubMed]