What is congenital Melanocytosis?
What is congenital Melanocytosis?
The term congenital dermal melanocytosis refers to one or more birthmarks. They are flat blue or blue/grey spots with an irregular shape that commonly appear at birth or soon after. Although they may look like bruises, it is important to recognise that congenital dermal melanocytosis are birthmarks, not bruises.
What causes congenital dermal melanocytosis?
What is the cause of dermal melanocytosis? Dermal melanocytosis is thought to be due to entrapment of melanocytes (pigment cells) in the dermis of the developing embryo, when the cells have failed to reach their proper location in the epidermis.
Is also known as congenital Melanocytosis?
Congenital dermal melanocytosis, also known as Mongolian spot or slate gray nevus, is one of many frequently encountered newborn pigmented lesions. It is a type of dermal melanocytosis, which presents as gray-blue areas of discoloration from birth or shortly thereafter.
What does Mongolian baby mean?
Mongolian spots (MS) are congenital birthmarks seen most commonly over the lumbosacral area. They are bluish-green to black in color and oval to irregular in shape. They are most commonly found in individuals of African or Asian ethnic background.
What is Mongolian birthmark?
Mongolian spots are a kind of birthmark that are flat, blue, or blue-gray. They appear at birth or in the first few weeks of life. Mongolian blue spots are flat bluish- to bluish-gray skin markings commonly appearing at birth or shortly thereafter.
Is nevus of Ota a birthmark?
These are unusual skin discolorations in which melanocytes are found deeper than normal. Ota’s nevus is usually congenital but may appear in early childhood or in puberty.
Can Caucasian babies have Mongolian spots?
Mongolian spots They are seen in more than 90% of African-American and Native-American babies; 62–86% of Asians;347,348 70% of Hispanic, and 9.6% of Caucasian infants. Mongolian spots are present at birth and tend to fade during the first 2–3 years of life.
Do Caucasian babies get Mongolian spots?
Causes: Mongolian spots are caused by entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest into the epidermis in fetal development. Microscopically dermal melanocytoses are seen in all newborn babies irrespective of race.
What does congenital dermal melanocytosis look like at birth?
The term congenital dermal melanocytosis refers to one or more birthmarks. They are flat blue or blue/grey spots with an irregular shape that commonly appear at birth or soon after. Although they may look like bruises, it is important to recognise that congenital dermal melanocytosis are birthmarks, not bruises
Is there any treatment for congenital dermal melanocytosis?
We do not recommend any treatment for congenital dermal melanocytosis, as it is unnecessary because the birthmarks will fade over time on their own. Treatment, such as laser therapy, may cause side effects, including infection and scarring. Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Dermatology department.
How can I tell if I have dermal melanocytosis?
The pigment will not accentuate when observed with a Wood’s lamp. The lesions can also be noted within the first few weeks of life. Dermal melanocytosis can also be seen higher up on the back, or the lesions can extend onto the buttocks and even onto the upper posterior thighs.
What are the morphologic forms of dermal melanocytosis?
Background: Dermal melanocytosis is characterized by the presence of melanocytes in the dermis. There are several morphologic forms, such as the blue nevus, the mongolian spot, the nevus of Ota, and the nevus of Ito.