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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Quantifying Abdominal Pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster

Quantifying Abdominal Pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: June 1, 2017

Patterned pigmentation in children.

James Treat¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Section of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. treat@email.chop.edu

Pediatric Clinics of North America

|October 5, 2010

Summary

Pigmentary mosaicism presents a wide spectrum of conditions. Most children with localized pigmentary disorders (SegPD) show no systemic issues and are healthy.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Dermatology
Pediatrics

Background:

Pigmentary mosaicism, also known as patterned dyspigmentation, encompasses a broad range of clinical presentations.
These range from localized skin pigment changes to widespread abnormalities affecting multiple organ systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline the clinical spectrum of pigmentary mosaicism.
To guide the evaluation and management of affected children, distinguishing between localized and widespread forms.

Main Methods:

Clinical observation and case review.
Analysis of patient data correlating pigmentary patterns with systemic findings.

Main Results:

Localized pigmentary anomalies, such as segmental pigmentary disorder (SegPD), are typically associated with no systemic manifestations.

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Widespread dyspigmentation may correlate with neurologic, musculoskeletal, or cardiac abnormalities, necessitating close evaluation.

Most children with SegPD and many with more widespread patterns are otherwise healthy.

Conclusions:

A cautious but nuanced approach is essential for patients with pigmentary mosaicism.
Children with widespread dyspigmentation, associated abnormalities, or developmental delays require thorough evaluation and subspecialty referral.
Close clinical follow-up with primary care physicians is crucial for all children to ensure developmental milestones are met.