Cutis marmorata
Cutis marmorata is a common skin disorder in which the skin has a blueish marble pattern with white lesions in the centre. In most cases, these patches appear on the whole body, although it can appear on a specific body part. See attached photos.
This passing condition is a result of the blood vessels contracting and dilating and is mostly common in newborns.
There are two common cases for the appearance of Cutis marmorata: In Newborns – very common when undressing and exposed to cold and disappears as the skin becomes warmer. The symptoms usually stop occurring in a young age and in most cases doesn’t hide a serious problem.
In older babies and children – common in illness with fever, mostly when the fever goes up.
What is the paediatricians approach to Cutis marmorata?
In medial text books Cutis marmorata is a warning sign when shown in a child with fever, that can be related to a bacterial infection that must not be ignored. However, in perfectly healthy newborns, Cutis marmorata should not be alarming and does not require doctor’s examination. Usually, there is also no significant reason for Cutis in older babies and children.
However, in case that in addition to Cutis the child shows high fever and seems ill or if the child shows one of the alarming fever related symptoms, a doctor’s examination and evaluation is necessary.
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