I thought it would be good to share things we have seen or learnt that we didn't know about before, so that we can learn from each other's experiences.
While visiting a mum & baby today my mentor pointed out to me that the baby had a 'Mongolian Blue Spot' I didn't have a clue what it was
so when I got home I googled it, and here is what I found out;
A mongolian blue spot is a non cancerous birthmark which is often seen in dark skinned babies, especially those of Asian, East Indian or African descent.
It is a flat blue or blue-grey skin marking that commonly appear at birth or shortly thereafter.
Mongolian blue spots
They appear commonly at the base of the spine, on the buttocks and back and also can appear on the shoulders. Mongolian spots are benign and are not associated with any conditions or illnesses.
Occasionally, Mongolian blue spots are mistaken for bruises, which can raise a question about possible child abuse. It is important to recognize that Mongolian blue spots are birthmarks, NOT bruises.
Symptoms include:
- Blue or blue-grey spots on the back, buttocks, base of spine, shouders, and other body areas
- Flat area with irregular shape and unclear edges
- Normal skin texture
The bluish discoloration often fades in a few years and is almost always gone by adolescence.