Have you ever noticed a small bump on your little one's lower back, just above the point where the buttocks meet? This is sometimes seen in newborn babies. This is what doctors call a sacral dimple . Many parents get a little worried when they see this, thinking, "Is my baby sick?" But is this really something to be worried about? Let's talk about this in more detail today.
What is this sacral dimple? To put it simply...
Simply put, a sacral dimple is a small bump on the bottom of your newborn's back, just above the point where the buttocks meet. "Sacral" refers to the lowest bone in your baby's spine, the sacrum . This sacral dimple is a congenital condition . This means your baby is born with it. This dimple does not go away over time, but as your baby gets older, it may become less noticeable and may feel a little less noticeable.
Imagine, this is like the dimples on some people's cheeks. But the location is different.
Most of the time, these sacral dimples don't cause any problems . However, very rarely, they can be a sign of an underlying problem with the spine. Such problems are called spina bifida and tethered spinal cord .
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida occurs early in your pregnancy when your baby's spine doesn't fully develop. It's a condition called a neural tube defect . However, the severity of this condition can vary from person to person. Most cases are mild, and can be life-threatening . However, in severe cases, it can cause significant damage to the nerves and spine.
What is a Tethered Spinal Cord?
Tethered Spinal Cord is a condition in which a baby's spinal cord is trapped by the surrounding tissue. This prevents the spinal cord from moving freely up and down. As the baby grows, the tethered spinal cord begins to stretch. This can damage the nerves.
Your child's doctor will carefully examine the sacral dimple to determine if it is a sign of a spinal problem. The doctor will look at its size and location, and if there is any doubt, they may refer you for further tests to make sure there is no spinal problem.
How common is this sacral dimple?
Roughly speaking, between 3% and 8% of newborns may have this sacral dimple, which means it's not that uncommon.
What is the difference between back dimples and sacral dimples?
Back dimples are also the dimples you'll see on your child's lower back. But they 're in two places - one on each side of the spine. These dimples are caused by a type of tissue called ligaments . These ligaments connect your skin to your pelvic bones.
These back dimples are not as harmful as sacral dimples. They are also called "butt dimples" and "dimples of Venus." Venus is the goddess of beauty in Roman mythology. Many people believe that these dimples on the back enhance the figure, increase fertility, and bring good luck.
What is the difference between Pilonidal Dimples and Sacral Dimples?
Pilonidal dimples or pilonidal cysts are also found in the lower back. A pilonidal cyst is a round sac of tissue filled with fluid or air . If this cyst becomes infected, it can become swollen and painful. If a pilonidal cyst is not treated, it can turn into an abscess.
The important thing is that we are not born with pilonidal cysts . They develop after birth. Pilonidal cysts are most commonly seen in young boys and young adults . This is because thick body hair and sweat create a favorable environment for infection.
What are the symptoms of a sacral dimple?
There are no symptoms other than a lump in the sacral dimple. This lump is usually shallow and is located at or near the junction of the baby's buttocks.
However, as we've already mentioned, in rare cases, some sacral dimples can be a sign of a problem with the spine or spinal cord. In such cases, your child's doctor may refer you to a specialist for further testing. A sacral dimple associated with a spinal problem may also have these symptoms:
- The one with some hairs right next to the dimple.
- Having something like a small skin tag .
- Bluish discoloration or discoloration of the surrounding skin.
What causes sacral dimples?
Researchers still don't know exactly why some people develop sacral dimples. Some believe they are caused by genetics . But there is very little research on these dimples. So it's not possible to say exactly which genes cause them.
How do you know if you have a sacral dimple?
To find out if your child has a sacral dimple, your child's doctor will do a physical examination . The doctor will carefully examine your child's lower back and the area between the buttocks. The doctor will note the size and location of the dimple.
If the doctor notices that the sacral dimple is large, deep, or far from the buttocks , or if there is a skin bump, hair growth, or skin discoloration in the area, the doctor may order an ultrasound . An ultrasound can provide clear images of the spine.
How are sacral dimples treated?
Most sacral dimples do not cause any problems, so no treatment is needed .
However, if the sacral dimple is a sign of an underlying problem, such as the conditions we discussed earlier, such as spina bifida or tethered spinal cord, your child's doctor will talk to you about treatment options. Treatments and outcomes vary for each condition.
Can a sacral dimple be prevented?
Since sacral dimples are congenital and we don't know exactly what causes them, there is no way to prevent them from forming .
What will the future be like if my child has a sacral dimple?
Most people with a sacral dimple do not have any symptoms or complications that require treatment . Your child should be able to live a normal, healthy life. A sacral dimple does not affect the child's movements or lifestyle.
Very rarely, a sacral dimple is a sign of an underlying health condition. Your child's doctor will carefully examine your child's sacral dimple to determine if it is a symptom of something that needs to be treated.
Are there any other complications or side effects that may be associated with sacral dimples?
Most sacral dimples do not cause any other problems. Some people may have extra hair growth around the dimple throughout their lives. If the dimples are deeper than normal, they can become infected and harbor germs . Therefore, if you have such dimples, keeping them clean can reduce the risk of infection.
Remember, sacral dimples are a common occurrence, and they rarely cause major problems.
So, what is the most important thing to remember from what we have talked about? (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so let's summarize what we've talked about.
- A sacral dimple is a small bump on the lower back of a newborn baby, near the buttocks. It is something that is present at birth.
- Most of the time, this does no harm and is nothing to be afraid of.
- Very rarely , this can be a sign of a spinal problem (e.g. spina bifida, tethered cord).
- Your doctor will examine your baby's dimples and perform tests, such as an ultrasound, only if necessary.
- Most of the time, no treatment is needed . It is only treated if there is an underlying problem.
- This cannot be prevented .
- Most children with sacral dimples live healthy, normal lives .
- If you have deep dimples, it's important to keep them clean to prevent infection.
So, if your baby also has a sacral dimple, don't worry unnecessarily. Talk to the doctor and explain it. It's most likely nothing serious.
` Sacral dimple, baby, back, spinal cord, spina bifida, tethered cord, congenital condition
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