THE INCIDENCE OF BIRTHMARKS IN ISRAELI NEONATES

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies have documented cutaneous findings in neonates of various racial groups. Our purpose was to determine the frequency of birthmarks in Israeli neonates of Jewish and Arabic origin. METHODS: A cohort of 1672 newborn infants under 96 hours of age were examined for the presence of birthmarks. Of these 841 (50.3%) were Jewish and 831 (49.7%) were Arab. The Jewish group was further subdivided into various ethnic groups according to parental ancestry. RESULTS: Melanocytic brown lesions (Mongolian spots, congenital nevi, and café-au-lait spots), were more common in Arab infants. The vast majority of Jewish infants with Mongolian spots were of Asian or African ancestry. On the other hand, congenital melanocytic nevi were found only in Jewish infants of European ancestry. Vascular lesions (salmon patch and port-wine stain) in Arab neonates exhibited a female preponderance. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the prevalence of birthmarks in Israeli neonates is similar to the prevalence reported by others in white neonates.