What does it mean when a baby is born with a dimple on its back?

A sacral dimple is an indentation, present at birth, in the skin on the lower back. It’s usually located just above the crease between the buttocks. Most sacral dimples are harmless and don’t require any treatment.

What do dimples at the bottom of your spine mean?

Back dimples — indentations on your lower back — are a fairly common cosmetic feature. They’re caused by short ligaments connecting your pelvis to your skin, but they have no medical implications. Not only are they harmless, but they can even be considered a sign of beauty, especially in women!

Does a sacral dimple always mean spina bifida?

Complications. In rare cases, a sacral dimple can indicate an underlying spinal cord defect, such as spina bifida occulta and tethered cord syndrome. Spina bifida occulta occurs when the spine doesn’t fully close around the spinal cord.

What problems can a sacral dimple cause?

Rarely, sacral dimples are associated with a problem with the spine or spinal cord. This risk is higher if the dimple has atypical features. Examples include: Tethered spinal cord – Normally the spinal cord hangs freely within the spinal canal.

What does sacral dimple indicate?

In most cases, sacral dimples are simply signs of minor abnormalities as the baby grows inside the womb. In rare cases, they can indicate a deeper spinal abnormality. They can also be present in later life and not cause problems.

How rare is a sacral dimple?

How common are sacral dimples? Approximately 3% to 8% of babies are born with a sacral dimple.

When should I worry about a sacral dimple?

Most sacral dimples are harmless and don’t require any treatment. Sacral dimples that are accompanied by a nearby tuft of hair, skin tag or certain types of skin discoloration are sometimes associated with a serious underlying abnormality of the spine or spinal cord.

Is a sacral dimple genetic?

A sacral dimple may be associated with several hereditary disorders, including Bloom; Smith-Lemli-Opitz; and 4p, or Wolf-Hirschhorn, syndromes.

Is sacral dimple hereditary?

Will a sacral dimple go away?

A sacral dimple is a congenital condition, which means your baby was born with it. A sacral dimple won’t go away. But as your child grows, it becomes less noticeable. Most sacral dimples don’t cause any problems.

How common are sacral dimples in babies?

Sacral dimples are relatively common in healthy, newborn babies and do not normally signal a concern. They are seen in around 2-4 percent of births, although the cause of them is unknown. In most cases, sacral dimples are simply signs of minor abnormalities as the baby grows inside the womb.

Is sacral dimple genetic?

How do I know if my baby has spina bifida?

During pregnancy, a blood test called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can tell if a woman has a higher risk of having a baby with spina bifida. A prenatal ultrasound or fetal MRI can show whether a baby has it. If it’s not diagnosed during pregnancy, sometimes the condition is seen right away when the baby is born.

How can you tell if a baby has spina bifida?

What are the symptoms of spina bifida in a child?

• Area on the back that looks abnormal, such as a small hairy patch, dimple, or birthmark, or a pouch-like bulge (sac)
• No feeling below the place on the spine where the sac is.
• Not able to move his or her legs (paralysis)
• Constipation or incontinence.

Do babies with spina bifida look normal?

Key points about spina bifida in children Symptoms can include an area on the back that looks abnormal. This may be a small hairy patch, dimple, or birthmark, or a pouch-like bulge (sac). You may need tests while you are pregnant to check for spina bifida in your growing baby.

What can a sacral dimple mean?

A sacral dimple is a congenital condition, which means your baby was born with it. A sacral dimple won’t go away. But as your child grows, it becomes less noticeable. Most sacral dimples don’t cause any problems. Sometimes, a sacral dimple can be a sign of an underlying spinal issue.

Can a sacral dimple get worse?

Deeper pits can often become infected, and an abscess or cyst may develop. Often this type of growth does not happen until the person is in their teens. There is no known link between the presence of a sacral dimple and spinal dysraphism or incomplete fusion of the spine or spinal cord.

When should I be concerned about a sacral dimple?

Can babies with spina bifida move their legs?

In children with spina bifida, the nerves in the spinal canal are often damaged or improperly formed, and therefore they may not able to control the muscles properly or sometimes feel properly. Some children may be paralyzed, not able to move their legs at all, while others can stand and walk to some extent.

Are sacral dimples rare?