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Multiple congenital symmetric skin dimples
Annarosa Virgili1, Giulio Tosti, Vincenzo Bettoli
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Ferrara, Italy. vri@unife.it
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 22, 2002
Summary
This case study details a premature infant with rare, symmetrical skin dimples on the shoulders, elbows, and sacral region. The cause remains unknown, but the child shows normal development, highlighting a unique presentation of congenital cutaneous depressions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Clinical Case Reports
- Genetics
Background:
- Skin dimples are typically found on the face and often considered a benign genetic trait.
- However, cutaneous dimples have been associated with various congenital syndromes, infections, metabolic disorders, and trauma.
- The etiology of congenital skin dimples can be diverse and sometimes remains undetermined.
Observation:
- A premature male infant presented at 2 months with symmetrical skin dimples on the shoulders, elbows, and sacral area.
- This presentation is unusual, as dimples are rarely observed in these locations.
- Maternal drug exposure, infections, and traumatic events were excluded as potential causes.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited congenital, symmetrical cutaneous depressions in three distinct body regions.
- Despite the unusual presentation, the underlying etiology could not be identified.
- At a 3-year follow-up, the child demonstrated normal psychophysical development.
Implications:
- This case represents the first reported instance of congenital symmetrical dimples in these specific multiple locations.
- It underscores the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis for congenital skin dimples, even in the absence of other syndromic features.
- Further research may be needed to understand the genetic or developmental pathways involved in such rare presentations.