Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region

Mongolian spots, which are benign congenital lesions observed in the first years of life, can cause distress for parents due to aberrant localization as well as unexpected number and size. Therefore, efficient differential diagnosis is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the fre...

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Main Authors: Ayten Egemen, Tarkan Ikizoğlu, Serap Ergör, Gülgün Mete Asar, Ozge Yilmaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health 2006-07-01
Series:The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
Online Access:https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/2635
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author Ayten Egemen
Tarkan Ikizoğlu
Serap Ergör
Gülgün Mete Asar
Ozge Yilmaz
author_facet Ayten Egemen
Tarkan Ikizoğlu
Serap Ergör
Gülgün Mete Asar
Ozge Yilmaz
author_sort Ayten Egemen
collection DOAJ
description Mongolian spots, which are benign congenital lesions observed in the first years of life, can cause distress for parents due to aberrant localization as well as unexpected number and size. Therefore, efficient differential diagnosis is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots in 1-12-month-old children in a west Anatolian city and to evaluate parental approach to these lesions. The study included 924 children who presented to Ege University Hospital Healthy Child Outpatient Department between January and August 2003. A questionnaire was applied to the families while all children were examined scrupulously for the presence of mongolian spots. The frequency of these lesions in the study population was determined to be 26%; this rate was 20% and 31% in boys and girls, respectively. No lesion was detected in blond-haired children; however, it was detected in 47% of brunettes. Most common localizations were lumbosacral, gluteal, and back, though knee, scalp and feet were also encountered. Upon questioning, most parents stated it was a birth mark; however, 10% accepted to consult a doctor about the issue. In conclusion, identifying mongolian spots and informing parents are essential to strengthen the family-doctor relationship.
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issn 0041-4301
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publishDate 2006-07-01
publisher Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health
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series The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
spelling doaj-art-69affa13df70409ca15380d5962d0d392025-08-20T03:00:54ZengHacettepe University Institute of Child HealthThe Turkish Journal of Pediatrics0041-43012791-64212006-07-01483Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean regionAyten Egemen0Tarkan IkizoğluSerap ErgörGülgün Mete AsarOzge YilmazDepartments of Pediatrics, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. Mongolian spots, which are benign congenital lesions observed in the first years of life, can cause distress for parents due to aberrant localization as well as unexpected number and size. Therefore, efficient differential diagnosis is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots in 1-12-month-old children in a west Anatolian city and to evaluate parental approach to these lesions. The study included 924 children who presented to Ege University Hospital Healthy Child Outpatient Department between January and August 2003. A questionnaire was applied to the families while all children were examined scrupulously for the presence of mongolian spots. The frequency of these lesions in the study population was determined to be 26%; this rate was 20% and 31% in boys and girls, respectively. No lesion was detected in blond-haired children; however, it was detected in 47% of brunettes. Most common localizations were lumbosacral, gluteal, and back, though knee, scalp and feet were also encountered. Upon questioning, most parents stated it was a birth mark; however, 10% accepted to consult a doctor about the issue. In conclusion, identifying mongolian spots and informing parents are essential to strengthen the family-doctor relationship. https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/2635
spellingShingle Ayten Egemen
Tarkan Ikizoğlu
Serap Ergör
Gülgün Mete Asar
Ozge Yilmaz
Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
title Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
title_full Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
title_fullStr Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
title_full_unstemmed Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
title_short Frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among Turkish children in Aegean region
title_sort frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots among turkish children in aegean region
url https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/2635
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