THE INCIDENCE OF BIRTHMARKS IN IRANIAN NEONATES

A number of innocent rashes occurs in neonates. They are usually transient and self limited and thus require no therapy but early recognition is important to distinguish these lesions from more serious disorders. In this study, our purpose was to determine the frequency of birthmarks in Iranian neonates. The presence of various types of birthmarks was determined in 503 Iranian neonates under 72 hour of age. The physiological skin changes observed in order to frequency were Epstein pearls in 444 (88.27%), Mongolian spot in 409 (81%), erythema toxicum in 272 (54%), sucking blisters in 264 (52.1%), Salmon patch in 262 (52%), milia in 232 (46%), petechia in 41(0.08%) and mottling in 29 (0.06%). Petechia was seen more commonly in vaginal delivery and in babies with more birth weight. Mottling was more common in premature and low birth babies. Our data suggest that the incidence of birthmarks in Iranian neonates is similar to the prevalence reported by others in white neonates.