Pigmented Birthmark

There are many kinds of pigmented birthmarks. Common types include:

• Café-au-lait spots. These marks are the color of coffee with milk and can appear anywhere on the body. Your child may have one or more café-au-lait spots. These birthmarks are generally not a problem. If several café-au-lait spots are larger than 0.5 centimeters in younger children or 1.5 centimeters in older children, a doctor should evaluate them. This can be a sign of neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes abnormal growth of nerve tissues.
• Moles. Also called nevi, moles usually remain for your child’s lifetime. Large or giant moles are more likely to develop into skin cancer. Moles can be tan, pink, brown or black in color. They may be flat or raised. Some moles may have hair growing out of them.
• Mongolian spots. These are flat bluish-gray patches of skin usually found on the buttocks or lower back. These spots usually fade on their own by the time your child begins school. Mongolian spots are more common in people with darker skin, such as children of African, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic and southern European backgrounds.

Symptoms of pigmented birthmarks depend on what kind of birthmark it is. Symptoms can include birthmarks that are:

• Flat or raised
• Have regular or irregular borders
• Are different colors (brown, tan, black, blue, purple)

Pigmented birthmarks generally do not cause health problems, but larger birthmarks, or those that may be irregular or rapidly changing, may need to be checked for early signs of skin cancer.

Diagnosis of Pigmented Birthmark

If your child shows signs of a pigmented birthmark, a pediatric dermatologist can perform a physical exam to make a diagnosis and look for any concerning signs.