Shajari H, Ashrafi M R, Ghanjizadeh F, Seyyed Ali Naghi S A, Zandieh S, Hosseini S M,
Volume 65, Issue 13 (Vol 65, Supplement 1 2008)
Abstract
Background: Mongolian spots are the most frequently encountered pigmented lesions in
newborns. The patches appear at birth or shortly there after, rarely later the MS in term
newborns in always present at birth. The shape of MS was commonly either irregular or
indefinite, with its borders gradually blending with the surrounding skin. The color most
frequently observed in all ethnic groups was blue- green. For the Negro population the
color was commonly greenish– blue the next most common color in the total population
was blue- gray. Brown coloration in the form of brown specks on a back ground of blue
was present in ten percent Negro Newborns. The most common location is the sacragluteal
region, which frequently is the only part affected. MS occasionally are found in
the extremities in those cases with extensive involvement, particularly in the shoulders.
The presence of MS in the head or neck has been called aberrant Mongolian spot. The
macula has been variously described as irregularly round, oval, roughly triangular, heart
shaped, resembling a tennis racket, and angular. The size may vary from a dot of a few
millimeters to six or more centimeters in diameter the mark of ten disappears during the
first or second year of life. Those marks distant from the sacral region are said to be more
apt to persist than the typical sacral one and the buttocks was the site of predilection. Its
incidence varies from over 80% in Asians (Mongolian and Chinese) to 10% of white
infants. Only a limited number of studies were carried out in Iran. Our objective was to
study Mongolian spots incidence and common locations in newborns at Shariati hospital.
Methods: During 2004-06, 2305 consecutive newborns were examined at Shariati hospital.
Diagnosis of Mongolian spot was based on clinical impression with Pediatricians.
Results: Mongolian spot was observed in 11.4% neonates. The most frequent site of
involvement is the sacral, followed by the gluteal area. Mongolian spot did not show a
significant relationship to sex, gestational age, mother’s age groups and delivery type
(p>0.05) but the relationship between Mongolian spot and birth weight groups was
significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Incidence of mongolian spots in our patients was simila
