Mongolian spots are a skin condition that is caused by dense collections of melanocytes. These skin cells filled with melanin appear like birthmarks when clustered close to the surface of the skin. While many parents might be concerned when they see Mongolian specks on their infants, these marks have nothing to do with cancer or any harmful skin growths.
What Are They?
Mongolian spots, also referred to as Mongolian flecks or Mongolian blue spots, is a flat birthmark that appears on many infants. These marks appear on over 70 percent of Native American, Asian, Pacific Island, or Hispanic infants while appearing on only about 10 percent of European infants.
Symptoms
Symptoms are most common blue or gray splotches that appear as birthmarks, although some can even be yellow or brown which make some look like bruises. No pain or health problems are associated with Mongolian spots.
Infant Groups Most Affected
Mongolian spots are found on over 90 percent of Native Americans, 80 percent of Oriental Asians, 70 percent of Hispanics and 70 percent of infant groups from mixed race groups of African and any of the other mentioned groups. Europeans see this condition the least, at less than 10 percent. Nearly 95 percent of all cases are on children who have not hit puberty.
Treatment
The only treatment is time. There is no reason to worry since there are no health risks; the majority of Mongolian spots are gone before age 5, with only very rare cases remaining past puberty.
Common Misdiagnosis
Mongolian flecks can sometimes be misdiagnosed as bruises if they are a brown or yellow color, especially since they often occur on the back thighs or buttocks.
Adult Mongolian Spots
The far majority of people lose all Mongolian spots by either 5 years of age or puberty. In extremely rare cases Mongolian spots remain after puberty, in which case they are most likely permanent.
