Birthmarks and birth defects in the head and neck region and claims of past-life memories: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review compiles published information on subjects with head or neck birth defects or birthmarks in which past-life memories were alleged.

Data sources: Electronic searches were done in April 2022 in the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO.

Study selection: References of the included studies and the gray literature were searched. Our sample included six studies reporting 19 cases of birthmarks and birth defects in the head and neck region with alleged past-life memories.

Data extraction: The features of the lesions varied, and their size ranged between 0.5 to 12 cm. All the cases had interviews with the family of the deceased person and the family of the child with the birthmarks, and nine of them included some type of verified official report.

Data synthesis: The strength of the evidence in the cases was analyzed using the strength-of-evidence scale.

Conclusion: This study showed that birthmarks and birth defects in the head and neck region occurred mostly in male children, with the possibility of these marks being caused by the fatal injury of the alleged personality. The literature lacks new cases with high strength of evidence, emphasizing the need for further primary studies.

Keywords: Head and neck; Past-life memory; Reincarnation.