A baby's skin may have birth marks.
When a baby is born there are many possible variations of skin coloring and birth marks. Birthmarks are generally not a cause for concern and many will fade as the infant grows older.
Mongolian Spots
A dark, large birthmark may be a Mongolian spot. These birthmarks are blue, gray or black in appearance and may look like a bruise. More commonly found in dark-skinned babies, they usually show up on the legs or trunk.
Port Wine Stains
A dark red or wine colored birthmark that appears on the face, arms or legs is likely a port wine stain. This type of birthmark may be treated with a laser for removal.
Cafe Au Lait Spots
As the name implies, cafe au lait spots are the color of light coffee. They can be found on legs, arms and the trunk in varying sizes. These birthmarks are permanent.
Moles
Moles may be present at birth. These are called congenital nevi. Having a mole at birth may increase the patient's risk of skin cancer.
Considerations
If a baby has more than six cafe au lait spots that are greater than 1.5 centimeters or if there is a mole present at birth, a doctor should be consulted, as it may be a sign of other health problems.
