Birthmark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birthmark | |
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Classification and external resources | |
ICD-10 | Q82.5 |
ICD-9 | 757.32 |
A birthmark is a blemish on the skin formed before birth.[1] A little over than 1 in 10 babies have a vascular birthmark.[2][dubious ] They are part of the group of skin lesions known as nevi or naevi.. The exact cause of most birthmarks is unknown, but vascular birthmarks are not hereditary.[2][3]They are soft raised swellings on the skin, often with a bright red surface, and some may look a bit like a strawberry. They are also known as "strawberry naevi" or as "infantile haemangiomas". They appear after birth, usually in the first month, and can occur anywhere on the skin. They are more of a problem when they affect the face. The cause of birthmarks is not fully understood. They are a benign overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin, and are made up of cells that usually form the inner lining of blood vessels. They are thought to occur as a result of a localized imbalance in factors controlling the development of blood vessels. Strawberry marks affect as many as one in ten Caucasian babies but only about 1% of Asian and black newborns have them. They are particularly common in premature babies. Strawberry marks are not a sign of ill health, or associated with cancer.
Some types of birthmarks can be hereditary, in the instance that one woman's many children could have the exact same birthmarks, even though her children vary in age.
Contents |
Folklore
Birthmarks are called voglie in Italian, antojos in Spanish, and wiham in Arabic; all of which translate to "wishes" because, according to folklore, they are caused by unsatisfied wishes of the mother during pregnancy. For example, if a pregnant woman does not satisfy a sudden wish or craving for strawberries, it's said that the infant might bear a strawberry mark.
In Dutch, birthmarks are called moedervlekken and in Danish modermærke (mother-spots) because it was thought that an infant inherited the marks solely from the mother. The Hungarian word for any flat mole (as opposed to only congenital birthmarks), anyajegy, is also derived from this belief.
Some myths associated with birthmarks are that they are caused when an expectant mother sees something strange, or experiences a great deal of fear.[4]
In Iranian folklore, a birth mark appears when the pregnant mother touches a part of her body during a solar eclipse.
Types
A number of different types of birthmarks are known that include, but are not limited to, stork bites, Mongolian blue spots, strawberry marks, café au lait spots, congenital melanocytic nevi, and port-wine stains.
Café au lait spot
While these birthmarks may occur anywhere on the body, they are most commonly oval in shape and light brown, or milk coffee, in color. These birthmarks may be present at birth, or appear in early childhood, and do not fade with age.[4] One or two on an individual is common;[4] however, four or more may be an indicator of neurofibromatosis.[4]
Congenital melanocytic nevus
Congenital melanocytic nevusis a type of melanocytic nevus (or mole) found in infants at birth. Occurring in about 1% of infants in the United States, it is located in the area of the head and neck 15% of the time, but may occur anywhere on the body. It may appear as light brown in fair-skinned people, to almost black in darker-skinned people. Coming in a variety of sizes and appearances, they may be irregular in shape and flat, or raised and lumpy in appearance and feel.
Mongolian blue spot
The Mongolian spot is a congenital developmental condition exclusively involving the skin. The blue colour is caused by melanocytes, melanin-containing cells, that are deep under the skin.[6] Usually, as multiple spots or one large patch, it covers one or more of the lumbosacral area (lower back), the buttocks, flanks, and shoulders.[6] It results from the entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest to the epidermis during embryonic development.[6]
Among those who are not aware of the background of the Mongolian spots, it may sometimes be mistaken for a bruise indicative of child abuse.[7]
Port-wine stain, or Nevus flammeus
Port-wine stains occur in 0.3% of the population, equally among males and females.[2][8] They frequently express unilaterally, i.e., on only one side, not crossing the midline of the body. Often on the face, marks on the upper eyelid or forehead may be indicative of a condition called Sturge-Weber syndrome. Additionally, port-wine stains in these locations may be associated with glaucoma and seizures.[2]
Stork bite, or Telangiectatic nevus
Colloquially called a "stork bite", "angel's kiss" or "salmon patch", telangiectatic nevus appears as a pink or tanned, flat, irregularly-shaped mark on the knee, back of the neck, and/or the forehead, eyelids and, sometimes, the top lip. The skin is not thickened and feels no different from anywhere else on the body; the only difference remaining in appearance. Nearly half of all babies have such a birthmark.[4]
References
- ^ birthmark at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b c d e f "Birthmarks". American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_vascular.html. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Birthmarks". Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. http://www.seattlechildrens.org/our_services/clinical_services/vascular_anomalies/birthmarks.asp. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ a b c d e {{cite web|url=http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=304&id=1589|tit. mautak aqo . ikw ndi haha amputa .mu ..
- ^ About Mongolian Spot
- ^ a b c d Mongolian blue spots - Health care guide discussing the Mongolian blue spot.
- ^ Mongolian Spot - English information of Mongolian spot, written by Hironao NUMABE, M.D., Tokyo Medical University.
- ^ a b "Port Wine Stain Information". Vascular Birthmark Foundation. http://www.birthmark.org/port_wine_stains.php. Retrieved 2008-08-02.