Birthmarks in Babies – Causes, Types, and When They Disappear

What is a Birthmark?

Birthmarks are congenital skin changes that can develop during fetal development or shortly after birth. Around 80% of all babies are born with birthmarks. They occur when blood vessels or pigment cells accumulate in a particular spot on the skin. Depending on their cause, birthmarks are divided into two main categories:

• Vascular Birthmarks – caused by changes in blood vessels and can be red, pink, or purple. Examples include “stork bites” and “port-wine stains.”
• Pigmented Birthmarks – caused by an accumulation of skin pigment and can be brown, bluish-grey, or black, like “Mongolian spots” and café-au-lait spots.

Birthmarks are completely normal and pose no health risk in most cases. However, they can vary in appearance and development over time.

Common Birthmarks in Babies:

• Stork Bites (Nevus Simplex):
  These light red marks are the most common type and are often found on the back of the neck, forehead, or eyelids. They are caused by shallow blood vessels and usually fade within the first year of life. In some cases, the mark on the neck may remain longer.
• Port-Wine Stains (Nevus Flammeus):
  Dark red or purple marks caused by enlarged blood vessels in the skin. They rarely fade on their own and may sometimes grow with the child. In some cases, laser treatment can help if the stain is very prominent.
• Mongolian Spots:
  Blue-grey birthmarks typically found on the back or buttocks, especially in babies with darker skin tones. They may resemble bruises but are completely harmless and usually disappear before the child reaches school age.
• Café-au-Lait Spots:
  Light brown, oval marks that can appear anywhere on the body. They are generally harmless, but if the baby has many large spots, it might be a good idea to consult a doctor.

Can Birthmarks Change Over Time?

Many birthmarks fade and disappear as the child grows, while others may become more prominent. If you notice a birthmark:

• Growing rapidly or changing colour or shape
• Becoming raised or starting to bleed
• Being very large or affecting the child’s vision or breathing

…it may be a good idea to have a doctor take a look. In most cases, no treatment is needed, but in some cases, medical intervention or laser treatment might be an option.

Birthmarks – A Part of Your Child’s Unique Story

Whether the birthmark is small and temporary or permanent, it is part of your baby’s unique appearance. Many marks fade over time, but even those that remain are a natural part of the body’s variation.