Moles in Newborns

Moles and Spots in Newborns: A Guide for Parents

The skin of a newborn is rarely perfectly clear. Various spots, speckles, and moles are more the rule than the exception. In the overwhelming majority of cases, these skin formations are completely harmless, do not require treatment, and fade or lighten on their own over time. Let's look at the most common ones.

Vascular spots (\"angel's kiss\", \"stork bite\")

This is the most common type of mole in newborns. They appear as flat pink or reddish spots of irregular shape and are a collection of dilated capillaries.

• \"Angel's kiss\": Spots located on the forehead, eyelids, or bridge of the nose. They usually disappear completely within the first year of life.
• \"Stork bite\": Spots on the back of the neck, near the hairline. They may persist for life but become invisible under the hair.

These spots become more vivid when the child cries or strains, and blanch on pressure. They require no intervention.

Mongolian spots

These are bluish or gray spots resembling bruises, most often located on the lower back and buttocks. They are a collection of melanin in the deep layers of the skin and are completely harmless. Mongolian spots are characteristic of children with olive skin and usually disappear on their own within the first few years of life.

Hemangiomas (\"strawberry\")

These are bright red, raised formations that resemble a strawberry berry. They are benign tumors of blood vessels. Hemangiomas may be unnoticed at birth but grow actively during the first months of life. The majority of them (up to 90%) go through a growth phase and then begin to slowly shrink and disappear by ages 5–9.

When should you see a doctor?

Although most moles are harmless, a pediatrician or child dermatologist consultation is necessary if:

• The mole is very large.
• It grows rapidly, changes color or texture.
• The mole is located where it may interfere with vital functions (e.g., on an eyelid covering the eye, or near the nose obstructing breathing).
• The mole starts bleeding or becomes ulcerated.

Read more about newborn skin care in the article "Skin care and diaper dermatitis".