Birthmarks

What is a birthmark?

A birthmark is a raised or flat discoloration that is on a baby’s skin at birth or shortly after birth. Birthmarks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that can range from brown or black to red, pink or purple.

There are two major types of birthmarks, pigmented birthmarks and vascular birthmarks.

• Pigmented birthmarks include moles, café-au-lait spots, and Mongolian spots. They occur from an overgrowth of the pigment cells in the skin.
• Vascular birthmarks include hemangiomas, capillary malformations (port-wine stains) and macular stains (salmon patches). are caused when blood vessels under the skin don’t form correctly.

Some birthmarks fade or get smaller over time. In most cases, birthmarks do not cause any other health problems and do not need treatment. In rare cases, a birthmark can be the sign of another condition, such as neurofibromatosis, Sturge-Weber syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome or other syndromes.

Many vascular birthmarks are now called “vascular anomalies.” Although most vascular birthmarks are benign, they are signs of a more complex condition or deeper vascular malformation. We recommend evaluation by your primary care specialist and seek a referral to our Vascular Anomalies Center if the diagnosis or extent of the lesion is unclear.

What are the signs and symptoms of birthmarks?

Birthmarks can vary greatly in shape, size and color.

• Moles are brown spots that can appear anywhere on the body. They are very common.
• Café-au-lait spots can be anywhere on the body and are the color of milky coffee. (If your child has more than five or six of these spots, they should be screened for a condition called neurofibromatosis.)
• Mongolian spots are large, blue-gray patches that may look like bruises. They usually appear on the lower back or buttocks. Mongolian spots are most common on darker skin. They usually fade without treatment.
• Hemangiomas or “strawberry birthmarks” are usually bright red and may be slightly raised. Some deep hemangiomas can look blueish or bruised. Hemangiomas in children usually grow quickly in the first few months and then start to fade and shrink by age 5.
• Capillary malformations are also called port-wine stains because they look like patches where wine was spilled on the body. They are most often found on the face or neck, but can be located anywhere on the body. They tend to darken over time and do not go away on their own.
• Macular stains, also known as or salmon patches or stork bites, are pink or light red marks that appear on the face or the back of the head or neck. Most fade by adulthood.

What causes birthmarks?

Experts don’t know what causes most birthmarks to form. They are not caused by anything during pregnancy or birth.

How are birthmarks treated?

In most cases, birthmarks do not cause any problems and do not need treatment. In some cases, dark birthmarks on the face or neck may be treated with laser therapy to help them fade. Your care team at Arkansas Children’s is experienced in seeing and diagnosing birthmarks in children and can answer any questions about your child’s condition.