Birthmarks

Appears at birth as a pink to purplish flat patch on the skin.

Can happen anywhere on the skin.

May lighten in the first year of life but it can get darker and more pronounced in puberty.

Usually increases proportionally as
the baby grows.

A collection of small blood vessels in the superficial or deeper skin.

Rarely, they can be present in other organs like the liver.

Usually not present at birth, but appears in the first 2 weeks of life and grows very fast in the first 4-5 months of age. Thereafter, the rapid growth slows down. It slowly shrinks in size after the first 1-2 years of age, at a rate of 10% per year.

After it goes away, the skin may not be entirely normal. There may be residual small blood vessels, called telangiectasia or uneven skin texture, colour and even scarring.

Haemangiomas that occur near the eye, mouth, and nose can cause problems with vision, feeding, and breathing respectively.

Large haemangiomas on the beard area can be associated with haemangiomas in the deeper airways.

Large haemangiomas on the head and neck can be associated with brain, eye, or heart abnormalities. Large haemangiomas at the groin area can be associated genital or spinal abnormalities. These haemangiomas should be investigated further with scans and appropriate referrals.

Large haemangiomas, especially those in the groin and flexures,can ulcerate, bleed, and get infected. These haemangiomas should be treated without delay.

Flat, brown colour patches that can occur at birth or in early childhood.

Most children have one or two small CALMs that may disappear or stay with them for life.

They grow proportionally with the child and are usually benign.

When CALMs occur in large numbers, the doctor may want to run further tests to exclude genetic diseases.

Patterns of either darker or lighter skin tones on the child’s skin. These can appear on one side of the body or limb or cross in between the sides too.

They can be quite extensive and cause anxiety among family members.

Relatively common congenital birthmark that consists of increased numbers of oil glands.

Occurs most commonly on the child’s face and scalp.

Usually present at birth as a single yellow to orange hairless linear birthmark on the head and neck area.

Secondary growths may occur on the birthmark as the child grows into an adult.

Also known as moles present at birth or within the first year of life.

Present as brown to black flat or slightly raised lesions anywhere on the child’s body. Pigment variation and increased hairs may be seen. With time they can get thicker.

Classified according to their greatest diameter in adulthood. Small (<1.5cm), medium (1.5cm to 19.9cm), large (>20cm).

Presents at birth as a white patch or may be more obvious after the first few months of age. There is usually no family history or white patches.

Grows proportionally with the child.

It happens due to localised malfunctioning pigment cells in the skin.