Do you know?Parents, in some cases of birth, babies sometimes experience skin abnormalities which are termed asmarmorata.Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita(CMTC) causes blue or purple patterns on the skin that look like marble or mesh. It usually appears at birth or soon after your baby is born.
What causes babies to get the disease and what things need to be considered? Here are the details.
Getting to Know Cutis Marmorata or CMCT
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita(CMTC) is a rare congenital (present at birth) disorder characterized by discolored patches of skin caused by dilated surface blood vessels.
As a result, purple or blue “marble” or “net” will appear on your little one’s skin (marmorata).
However,Parentsno need to worry too much, citing the pageHealthline, CMTC is a common skin condition that is often seen in newborns and children, and usually resolves without treatment. It can appear as a pink-blue mottled pattern, and is usually a response to cold temperatures.
Although common in infants and children, CMTC can also occur in adults.Cutis marmorata, also known aslivedo racemosa, which is a benign (noncancerous) condition that does not cause complications and does not require treatment.
Symptoms of Babies Experiencing Cutis Marmorata
Quoting the pageWeb MD, the main symptom and sign of CMTC is a blue or purple marble pattern on the skin. This is very similar to what happens to a baby’s skin when they have a cold, but it is more pronounced and does not go away easily.
Most children will get this colored pattern on their legs. However, it can also appear on their arms, chest, or very rarely on their face and scalp. The pattern may become larger when your child moves, cries, or gets cold.
In rare cases, CMTC can also cause:
- Bleeding in the area of skin where the pattern appears, sometimes accompanied by pain.
- Slower or larger growth of limbs that has a characteristic pattern
Causes of Cutis Marmorata
The exact cause ofmarmoratanot completely known. Explained on the pageHealthline, skin spots associated withmarmoratacaused by small blood vessels on the surface of the skin expanding and contracting at the same time in response to temperature. However, it is not known why some people develop this and others do not.
Children with certain diseases may have a higher incidence of this condition, including children with the following conditions:
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Down Syndrome
- Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
- Menkes Syndrome
- Cornelia de Lange syndrome
- Family dysautonomia
Regarding what are the causes of CMTC, this pageRare Diseaseexplains, researchers believe the disease is the result of genetic mosaicism. One theory is that abnormal pericyte recruitment may cause skin capillaries to contract inappropriately. In rare cases, CMTC appears to sometimes run in families.
Cutis Marmorata in Newborns
Cutis marmoratavery common in newborns. It is estimated that most newborns and up to 50 percent of children will experiencemarmorataat some point. Many incidentsmarmoratacan recover quickly, as reported on the pageHealthline.
This color change is more often seen in premature babies. In infants,marmoratais often considered a normal physiological response to cold temperatures. This is because the baby’s nerves and blood vessels are not fully developed.
As their skin cools, blood vessels near the surface of their skin can contract and dilate. This can cause the skin discoloration seen in cutis marmorata.
Cutis Marmorata in Adults
There is no known cause ofmarmoratain adults. It is thought that the cases may be caused by factors such as:
- Diet
- Virus infection
- Genetic differences
Additionally, adults who experience decompression syndrome can sometimes experiencemarmorata(livedo racemosa), possibly due to air bubbles in the blood vessels.
This will also be associated with other symptoms of decompression syndrome, such as:
- Itchy
- Confusion
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Extreme fatigue
Decompression syndrome can occur when the pressure around your body changes rapidly, such as when you rise from an underwater dive too quickly.
Cutis Marmorata in Decompression Sickness
The generally accepted explanation for CMTC in decompression sickness is that gas bubbles form in the blood vessels. However, there are other theories.
A 2015 study found that skin spots in decompression sickness may be caused by brain damage.
Another 2015 study found that gas bubbles damage the brain stem, affecting the part of the nervous system that regulates the dilation and contraction of blood vessels.
Complications
CMTC rarely has complications. However, CMTC can look similar to other skin conditions that may have complications.
Additionally, skin spots like cutis marmorata that do not go away when the child’s skin is warmed up can actually be a sign of a more serious condition. Such as sepsis or congenital hypothyroidism, in infants.
If your child’s skin spots don’t improve with warmer temperatures, talk to your doctor to determine the cause, okay?Parents.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will take your child’s medical history and do a physical exam. That’s usually enough to tell if it’s CMTC or not. If your doctor thinks there’s a different problem, your child may get some imaging tests, such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI.
If CMTC appears on the face or scalp, your child may receive an eye exam and a neurological exam to make sure their brain, nerves, and spinal cord are working normally, according toWebMD.
CMTC Treatment/Management
Most of the time, children with CMTC do not need treatment. The colored mesh pattern on your little one’s skin will go away on its own. Typically, the pattern fades most by the time your child is a year old, and will continue to fade as your child’s skin thickens.
In most cases, CMTC symptoms disappear within the first few years of life. Then, once they fade, they usually do not return.
Although CMTC does not require treatment, you will likely have regular visits to your doctor for checkups. This is important because doctors are always learning about CMTC and similar conditions.
Quoting the pageWebMD, your little one may need treatment in the following cases:
- CMTC is on the face or scalp
- Pain in the feet, knees, or hips, or other signs that the feet are growing at different rates
- Patterns that bleed, grow, or cause pain
- Signs of superficial venous insufficiency
Your doctor will recommend specific treatments to treat the symptoms that arise. For example, if your child is bleeding, you will get a special bandage for that.
If they happen frequently, they may be treated with a device called a pulsed dye laser. This device destroys the blood vessels that are causing the problem even after the CMTC has faded. It is very effective, does not damage the skin, and usually does not leave scars.
CMTC can be anxiety-provoking for you and your child. The pattern may not completely fade, and it can be difficult for older children if it is visible, especially on the face or neck. Your doctor can help you find a counselor to support your family.
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These are the things that are necessaryParentsknow aboutmarmorata. CMTC may look similar to other, more serious skin conditions. If the skin discoloration does not fade when warmed, it is best to see a doctor for a medical diagnosis, yes,Parents!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
