Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of different types of congenital pigment cell naevi in newborns at Civil Hospital Karachi, within 72 hours of birth.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology units, Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital, Karachi from 3rd February 2021 to 3rd February 2022. The study included 352 neonates of either sex with pigmented birth marks within 72 hours of birth. The neonates were of any gestational age and mode of delivery. Dermatological examination during daylight was performed to assess the presence of pigmented birthmarks and digital photographs were taken. Based on history and examination provisional diagnosis of specific type of pigment cell naevi was labelled. Stratification was done using Chi square test considering p-value ≤0.05 as significant.
Results: Out of 352 neonates with pigmented birthmarks, 166 (47.2%) were males and 186 (52.8%) females. The frequency of various types of congenital pigment cell naevi were 69.6% (245) Mongolian blue spot, 9.1% (32) congenital Spitz naevus, 8% (28) congenital blue naevus, 8% (28) congenital naevus pilus and 5.4% (19) had congenital melanocytic naevus.
Conclusion: The most common birthmark was Mongolian blue spot. Others included Congenital Spitz naevus, Congenital blue Naevus, Congenital naevus pilus and Congenital Melanocytic naevus.

Key words: Congenital Pigment Cell naevi, newborns, Mongolian blue spot.